(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 13)—The McKendree College men’s basketball team was edged in American Midwest Conference play Saturday at home by Columbia College, 96-92.

 

The Bearcats, ranked No. 21 in NAIA Division I, lost for the first time in four games to drop to 11-7 overall. This was the AMC opener for McKendree. Columbia improved to 10-8 on the year and 2-0 in the conference.

 

Tied at 89-89, Bryant Chambly scored on a layup with 3:16 remaining to give the Cougars the lead for good, 91-89. Chambly scored on Columbia’s next possession for a four-point lead. McKendree battled back when sophomore forward Nick Livas (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) hit a jumper in the lane, and Mark Stovall (St. Louis, Mo./Jennings) hit the front end of a two-shot foul to bring the Bearcats within 93-92 with 51.2 seconds on the clock.

 

Marcus Bradford hit one of two free throws, and Trae Hill sank a pair of foul shots with 14 seconds left to seal the upset win for Columbia.

 

Stovall led McKendree with 25 points. Senior forward Mike Strobbe (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) added 24 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, while Livas also notched a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

 

Chambly led all scorers with 31 points for Columbia, while Bradford chipped in with 24 points and Louis McCrary posted 16 points and four assists for the Cougars.