University of Pikeville pulled away from Rio Grande (Ohio) in the second half to cruise to a 97-75 win in the coaching debut of head coach Tigh Compton at the Appalachian Wireless Arena on Friday night.
The Bears took a 45-39 halftime lead, thanks to Jordan Perry, nagged with an injury, who came off the bench to score 24 of his game-high 34.
UPIKE landed five players in double-figure scoring as Malcom Green and Jamir Simpson tossed in 12 each. Christian Sweazie followed with 11 and Korbin Spencer added 10.
UPIKE will next host Georgetown College (1-0) on Nov. 19.
At Pikeville
SCORE BY HALVES
RG (0-0)……39 36 – 75
UP (1-0)…….45 52 – 97
Scoring:
Rio Grande, Ohio (75) – Andrew Shull 1(6) 4-4 24; Shiloah Blevins 7(1) 0-0 17; Caleb Wallis 1(1) 5-6 10;Cooper Donalson 1 1-1 3; Kam Harris 4 2-2 10; Bryanth Farr 1(1) 0-1 5; Cam Schreiter 1(1) 0-0 5; and Redeetris Richardson 0 1-2 1. Totals: 16 (10) 13-16 75.
UPIKE (97) – Malcolm Green 3(1) 3-5 12; Jamir Simpson 4(1) 1-2 12; Korbin Spencer 2(1) 3-4 10; Taevon Horton 1(2) 1-2 9; Jacob Brown 1 1-2 3; Jordan Perry 11(3) 3-4 34; Christian Sweazie 0(3) 2-2 11; and Darius Love 2 2-2 6. Totals: 24(11) 16-23 97.
Next up: UPIKE (1-0) vs. Georgetown College (1-0), Nov. 19.