(JACKSON, Tenn., Nov. 24)—The McKendree University men’s basketball team lost for the second time in as many nights at the Union University Thanksgiving Classic, falling to host Union by a margin of 87-78.

 

Union overcame a 46-45 halftime deficit by opening the second half on a 20-8 run and by holding the Bearcats to just 35.5 percent shooting (11-of-31) in the final 20 minutes of play. McKendree, ranked No. 23 in the NAIA Division I pre-season poll, drops to 5-4 overall, while No. 19-ranked Union moves to 4-2 overall.

 

For the second consecutive contest, freshman forward Eric Hobbie (Vandalia, Ill./Vandalia) (Vandalia, Ill./Vandalia) led McKendree with 23 points along with nine rebounds. Junior guard Eric Palm (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) connected for 19 points in the effort. Freshman forward Brad Copelin (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) and sophomore forward Ken Detmer (Aviston, Ill./Breese Central) each added 14 points for the Bearcats, with Copelin pulling down nine rebounds to match Hobbie.

 

McKendree led for most of the first half, with Union’s only advantage coming at 8-7 early in the period. The Bearcats’ largest lead of the half, 32-21, came at the 9:08 mark on a basket by Hobbie. Union chipped away at the deficit and pulled within 46-45 at the intermission.

 

The Bulldogs scored the first four points of the second half to grab a 49-46 lead, but Hobbie countered with consecutive baskets to give McKendree its final lead of the night, 50-49, with 17:41 to go. Union quickly regained control, then used a 14-2 run to build a 65-54 lead midway through the half.

 

Matt Neaville led all scorers with 24 points for Union, while Ryan Merriman added 18 points and 10 rebounds. Brian Lake and Tony Brown each posted 17 points, with Lake grabbing a game-high 17 rebounds.

 

McKendree will return to action Wednesday with a non-conference game at Brescia University. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in Owensboro, Ky.