(SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 25)—McKendree College senior guard Mark Stovall (St. Louis, Mo./Jennings) filled the role of hero not once, but twice in the Bearcats’ 98-97 overtime victory Thursday at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

 

Stovall buried a three-pointer with 17 seconds left in regulation to tie the contest at 84-84 and force the extra period. Stovall then banked in a three-pointer from 25 feet out with two seconds left in overtime to cap a furious comeback that saw McKendree trail by eight points with less than two minutes to play.

 

In posting a career-high 33 points, Stovall was 10-of-18 from the field with four three-pointers. He also connected on 9-of-10 free throws for the Bearcats. McKendree, ranked No. 19 in NAIA Division I, moved to 14-7 on the year and 3-1 in American Midwest Conference play. Illinois-Springfield, which was the conference’s only undefeated team heading into Thursday’s action, dropped to 12-8 overall and 4-1 in the AMC.

 

Senior forward Mike Strobbe (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) contributed 22 points and a season-high 19 rebounds for McKendree, while sophomore forward Nick Livas (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) posted 14 points and six rebounds. Sophomore guard Eric Palm (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) had 13 points before fouling out, and junior guard T.J. Stone (Hendersonville, Tenn./People's Academy) (Hendersonville, Ill./People’s Academy) chipped in with 10 points for the Bearcats.

 

The Bearcats shot 58.1 percent (18-of-31) to take a 42-37 lead at the half. McKendree took a 66-53 lead on a layup by senior forward A.J. Rudd (Mt. Vernon, Ill./MacArthur) (Mt. Vernon, Ill./Mt. Vernon) with just over 11 minutes remaining before the host Prairie Stars began to rally. Illinois-Springfield reeled off 11 consecutive points to pull within 66-64 just two minutes later.

 

The teams traded baskets and leads until the Prairie Stars surged in front, 84-81, on a free throw by Eddie Smith with under 30 seconds left in regulation. The Bearcats worked the ball around to Stovall, who drilled his game-tying three-pointer from the right wing. Illinois-Springfield had the final possession, but could not get a shot off before the buzzer.

 

Illinois-Springfield owned the early portion of the overtime, building a 95-87 advantage with two minutes left. McKendree, which had been held without a field goal in the first three minutes of the extra period, then turned the tables on the Prairie Stars. The Bearcats closed the game with an 11-2 run, with the only points for UIS coming on a pair of free throws by Smith with 31 seconds on the clock.

 

Strobbe started the comeback by making two free throws, and Stovall followed with four more foul shots to help McKendree pull within 95-91 with 1:24 to play. Following a Prairie Stars turnovers, Strobbe cashed in on an offensive rebound and layup to cut the deficit to 95-93. Smith answered with his final free throws of the night before Stone scored on a driving layup with 26 seconds left to bring the Bearcats back within 97-95.

 

Smith was fouled on the inbounds pass, but missed both free throw attempts. Strobbe claimed the rebound and the Bearcats called timeout to set up their final play. McKendree worked the ball to Stovall, who banked in the game-winning shot from near the top of the key.

 

The Prairie Stars had one final opportunity to win the game, but Smith was just off the mark on a running 35-foot shot at the final horn.

 

For the game, McKendree shot 55.9 percent (38-of-68) from the field and 87.5 percent (14-of-16) from the free throw line. The Bearcats also held a 43-33 edge in rebounding against the Prairie Stars.

 

Smith led Illinois-Springfield with 31 points, eight rebounds and four steals. He scored 23 points following halftime. Aaron Leonard posted 17 points in a reserve role, while Kelvin Johnson connected for 14 points and five assists for the Prairie Stars. Cory Farmer added 13 points and a game-high seven assists for the hosts.

 

McKendree will be at Missouri Baptist University on Saturday for an AMC contest. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in suburban St. Louis.