COLLEGE BASKETBALL: UPIKE Bears cruise in opener

The University of Pikeville Bears raced out to a big halftime lead and went on to beat Virginia University-Lynchburg, 91-55, in the season opener played at the UPIKE Gymnasium on Saturday night.

UPIKE landed five players in double-figure scoring. Korbin Spencer fired in 17 points to lead the way. Darius Love and Kevin Bishop followed with 15 each. Kenyon Duling tossed in a baker’s dozen and Maurice Dickson added 11.

The Bears return to action Tuesday night at the Appalachian Wireless Arena, hosting Simmons College. Tip is 6 pm.

At Pikeville

SCORE BY HALVES:

VL(0-1)…..18  37 – 55

UP (1-0)….40  51 – 91

Scoring:

Virginia University-Lynchburg (55) – Dominic Williams 6(1) 3-4 18; Alexander Faulkner 2(4) 1-1 17; Milton Milling 2 3-3 7; Amanii Jackson 2 0-0 4; Jackson Kealey 1 0-0 2; Xavier Jones 1 0-0 2; Jaron Lewis 1 0-0 2; Marviere Smith  0 2-2 2; and Jadyn Neal 0 1-2 1. Totals: 15(5) 10-12 55.

UPIKE (91) – Korbin Spencer 5(1) 4-4 17; Darius Love 6(1) 0-0 15; Jacob Brown 2 0-0 4; Taevon Horton 0(1) 0-0 3; Kevin Bishop 6 3-4 15; Kenyon Duling 4(1) 2-2 13; Maurice Dickson 5 1-1 11; Taeron Hogg 2 4-4 8; and Avery Martinez 1(1) 0-0 5. Totals: 31(5) 14-15 91.

Next up: UPIKE vs. Simmons College, 6 pm, Nov. 2.