Men's Basketball Drops Game Against Pikeville

PIKEVILLE, Ky.- The men's basketball had a tough road trip on Saturday. The team fell in their Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) game against the University of Pikeville Bears 89-65. 

TWU began the game facing a strong Pikeville offense, conceding early free throws and a three-pointer to trail 5-0. The Bulldogs quickly answered with a layup by Armando Cuardado, assisted by Amauri Young, and free throws by Ty Hurst, cutting the deficit to 5-4. Ty Hurst shone in the first half, hitting a critical three-pointer to bring the game within one point at 7-8. Jay Reed and Young also contributed with defensive rebounds and timely layups. Charles Neverdon energized the Bulldogs with a three-pointer off an assist from Reshaun Hampton, narrowing the gap to 18-22. Despite their efforts, Pikeville's consistent perimeter shooting and fast-break points pushed their lead to 47-32 by halftime.

The Bulldogs came out of the locker room determined to reduce the deficit. Early in the second half, Young and Reed led the charge with consecutive layups, assisted by Peyton West. Cuardado continued to dominate in the paint, securing rebounds and scoring second-chance points. Tennessee Wesleyan found success in perimeter shooting during the half, with Neverdon and Hampton sinking timely three-pointers. Reed was instrumental in scoring inside, showcasing his ability to convert under pressure. While the Bulldogs made several runs, reducing the margin to 13 points midway through the half, Pikeville's offensive consistency proved challenging to overcome. Turnovers and missed opportunities allowed Pikeville to regain momentum and extend their lead in the final minutes.

Reed led the offense with 16 points.

Tennessee Wesleyan (8-7, 6-5 AAC) returns to James L. Robb Gymnasium for their next game on Monday. The team will host conference opponent Columbia International University at 7:30 p.m.