MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat College men's basketball team fell to the University of Pikeville Bears by an 81-61 scoreline on Saturday during an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) showdown inside McAlister Gymnasium. Despite hauling down a season-high 20 offensive rebounds, the Cavaliers couldn't overcome the visitors' strong shooting performance. As a result, the Cavs dropped to 3-4 (1-2 AAC) on the year, while the Bears, who are receiving votes in the NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25, climbed to 5-2 (4-0 AAC) overall.
 
Montreat opened the first half with a strong presence in the paint, scoring 20 points from inside. The team also demonstrated resilience on the boards, securing 20 total rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass. Dyllan Barnwell was particularly effective, notching a season-high six offensive rebounds, four of which came during the opening frame. Despite those efforts, the hosts struggled from beyond the arc through 20 minutes, missing all 11 of their attempts.
 
Pikeville capitalized on its opportunities, especially from long range, making five of 13 3-pointers to build a double-digit edge. As the clock wound down, the Cavaliers managed to close the gap slightly, but UPIKE maintained the momentum, finishing the half in front by 10 points, 39-29.
 
Aden Taylor ended the Cavs' drought from deep with a 3-pointer just one minute into the second half. Despite consistent efforts, including offensive rebounds and scoring contributions from Lawrence Cole and Amare Elshoush, Montreat faced challenges against Pikeville's defensive intensity and timely scoring. RJ Manginello added a fast break layup at the 14:01 mark, contributing to his streak of scoring at least 12 total points in all seven games this season, but UPIKE maintained the lead with efficient shooting from beyond the arc.
 
Caleb Moore facilitated a brief surge with assists leading to fast break points, but Pikeville's offense never allowed the hosts to pull within single digits during the final period. Montreat continued to battle with a late layup from Cole, but the Bears held their advantage and concluded the contest with an 81-61 edge.
 
"Tip your cap to Pikeville," said head coach Anthony Barringer. "With the zone that they run, they do a really good job of forcing you into shooting mid-range jump shots or heavily-contested layups. I thought we did a pretty good job of getting in that level and making plays out of that, but when we didn't convert, they were coming down on the other end and converting."
 
Overall, the Cavaliers connected on 27 of their 74 looks from the field (36.5 percent) and four of their 25 tries from deep (16.0 percent). Montreat also attempted just four free throws on the day. Meanwhile, UPIKE made 48.3 percent of its field goals (28-58 FG), 41.7 percent of its 3-pointers (10-24 3-pt FG) and 78.9 percent of its free throws (15-19 FT). The hosts' won the rebounding battle, 44-34, while scoring 19 second chance points off 20 offensive boards. Pikeville committed just six turnovers across 40 minutes compared to the Cavs' 12 miscues.
 
"For us, on the defensive side right now, I just don't think we're committed enough to winning one-on-ones and keeping ourselves out of rotation," Barringer added. "Pikeville did a really good job of catching the ball, putting us in rotation and then finding the advantage."
 
Moore led all players with a season-high 10 rebounds, and he added two steals and three assists as well. Cole scored 12 points on 6-of-14 shooting and contributed a block defensively. Manginello also tallied 12 points and tied for a contest-best with four assists. Elshoush was the third and final Cavalier to reach double figures in scoring, doing so with 10 points. Barnwell posted seven points and collected seven rebounds, including six on the offensive end.
 
The next challenge for Montreat is a nonconference matchup against the Carolina University Bruins. The game will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. in Winston-Salem, N.C.