Pikeville, Ky — Lindsey Wilson men's basketball team struggles on offense led to a 79-52 defeat to the University of Pikeville (Ky.) on Thursday night. A low-scoring contest left the Blue Raiders on the short end as they dropped to 8-16 overall and 4-15 in conference play.

Payton Cundiff led LWC in scoring off the bench with 13 points on the night while shooting three for five from beyond the arc and perfect from the free throw line. Blue Raider reserves Jayden Lazard and Connor Robinson followed up with six points apiece. Cundiff also tied with Johrdon Mumford for the most rebounds on the team with four. 

The Bears came out firing from the jump as they took an early 9-2 lead after starting the contest on a 7-0 run. This became the story of the first half as Pikeville converted on majority of Lindsey Wilson's missed opportunities at the basket. 

Throughout the first half, the Bears had the ball rolling on the offensive end as they made a few more runs down the stretch to extend their lead to as big as 24 points. Pikeville's starting unit outscored the Blue Raiders starters 35-6 as the Bears took a 47-25 lead into halftime.

Pikeville continued its dominant performance on both ends of the floor coming out of the half as they extended their lead to 28 after back-to-back threes to start. The Blue Raider bench showed a relentless effort in the second half to cut the lead down, but did not have enough to overcome the deficit as the Bears outlasted the Blue Raiders 79-52 to improve their home record to 9-3 and 15-10 overall.

The Blue Raiders return to Biggers Sports Center this weekend when they take on Shawnee State University (Ohio) at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, Feb. 11 in Columbia, Ky.