(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 29)—Senior forward Mark Stovall (St. Louis, Mo./Jennings) (St. Louis, Mo./Jennings) turned in his second consecutive 27-point performance in leading the McKendree College men’s basketball team to an 84-80 victory Wednesday at home against Brescia University.

 

McKendree won for the fourth time in its last five games to improve to 7-3 on the year. The Bearcats will return to action this weekend at the Olivet Nazarene University/Holiday Inn Express Classic. McKendree will meet Campbellsville University Friday at 5:30 p.m. before taking on host Olivet Nazarene Saturday at 3 p.m.

 

In the first half, McKendree shot 64.3 percent (18-of-28) on its way to a 48-42 lead at the intermission. Brescia (5-6) opened the second half on an 11-4 run to grab its first lead of the night, 53-52, with 16:23 to play. The host Bearcats responded by scoring the next nine points over a three-minute span to regain a 61-53 advantage.

 

Brescia battled back and took a 76-75 lead with 5:22 left on a three-pointer by Doug Denton. After senior forward Mike Strobbe (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) hit a free throw for McKendree to tie the contest, Stovall scored the next three points in pushing the Bearcats back in front, 79-76. Brescia eventually tied the game one final tie at 80-80 before sophomore forward Nick Livas (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) put McKendree in front to stay by hitting two free throws with 1:57 to play.

 

Sophomore guard Stan Mayfield (Snellville, Ga./Shiloh) (Snellville, Ga./Shiloh) hit one of two free throws with 44 seconds on the clock to extend the Bearcats’ lead to 83-80. After Brescia missed a potential game-tying three-point attempt, Mayfield grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 0.5 seconds remaining. He hit the first free throw to seal the victory for McKendree.

 

Livas finished with 17 points and six rebounds for McKendree, while Strobbe chipped in with 16 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Eric Palm (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) connected for 13 points in the effort.

 

Denton and Dustin Neighbors each scored 21 points to lead Brescia, while Randy Cayasso posted 16 points before fouling out.