(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 10)—The McKendree College men’s basketball team cruised past Concordia University Friday at home in the McKendree Classic, 109-57. The game marked the 2006-07 home opener for the Bearcats.

 

McKendree held a 53-9 edge in bench scoring while improving to 2-1 on the season. The Bearcats will face Union University on Saturday in the final game of the McKendree Classic. Union was ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball pre-season poll.

 

Against Concordia, junior forward Paul Nazzaro (Scottsdale, Ariz./St. Mary's) (Scottsdale, Ariz./St. Mary’s) came off the bench to lead McKendree with 20 points, while junior guard T.J. Stone (Hendersonville, Tenn./People's Academy) (Hendersonville, Tenn./People’s Baptist) added 17 points, including a 5-for-8 effort from three-point range. Junior forward Rod Steele (Birmingham, Ala./Shades Valley) (Birmingham, Ala./Shades Valley) and sophomore forward Brandon Toliver (Kansas City, Mo./O’Hara) each chipped in with 10 points in a reserve role for the Bearcats.

 

Concordia built a 6-2 lead before McKendree took the lead for good by scoring 12 consecutive points to grab a 14-6 advantage with 12:36 left in the opening half. The Bearcats increased their lead to 51-29 at the half, then shot 55.8 percent in the final 20 minutes to pull away for the win. McKendree shot 53.2 percent for the game while forcing 30 turnovers by the Preachers.

 

Jeremy Lucke led Concordia with 18 points while Stephen Carretto connected for 10 points.