Pioneers Fall to AAC Leader UPIKE

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – After seeing a sharp-shooting effort in the women's game, it was the same recipe in the men's matchup as Appalachian Athletic Conference leader UPIKE knocked down 14 3-pointers on its way to an 85-70 win over Spartanburg Methodist College on Saturday.

Spartanburg Methodist College (2-8, 1-4 AAC) was led by a 19-point, nine-rebound, four-block effort from CJ Terrell. He was joined in double figures by Musa Muriithi, who scored 16 points, along with 13 from Kennedy Aiken-Shannon and 10 from reserve Calvin Brown.

UPIKE (9-2, 5-0 AAC) was paced by a 23-point performance from Bradley Bunch, who made four 3-pointers, while LA Walker added 22 points and knocked down three triples. Keynan Cutlip chipped in 18 points after hitting four 3-pointers, and Zion Blevins rounded out the starters in double figures with 10 points and a team-best nine rebounds.

UPIKE raced out to a 14-2 lead to start the game, prompting a timeout from the host Pioneers. SMC responded and narrowed the deficit to three, 39-36, when Brown converted a layup with 1:18 left in the opening half. A second-chance 3-pointer by Bunch sent the Bears into the locker room ahead 44-36.

The Bears opened the second half with another 14-2 run before a layup by Tavarez Lacey helped spark a surge from the Pioneers. An energized SMC roster cut the margin to six, 72-66, after Terrell hit a pair of free throws with 6:03 remaining. Once again, UPIKE's perimeter shooting halted the momentum as Walker connected from deep. The visitors then used a 9-2 run to extend the lead to double digits for good.

Spartanburg Methodist will travel to CIU on Wednesday, Dec. 10 for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.