(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 7)—Five different players scored in double figures as the McKendree University men’s basketball team posted a 93-81 non-conference victory Wednesday at home against Lindenwood University.

 

Freshman forward Eric Hobbie (Vandalia, Ill./Vandalia) (Vandalia, Ill./Vandalia) led the way with 22 points as the Bearcats remained perfect on the season at 3-0. McKendree, which is ranked No. 23 in the NAIA Division I pre-season poll, will hit the road for the first time this season on Tuesday to face Park University. Tip-off in Parkville, Mo., is at 7 p.m.

 

Senior guard T.J. Stone (Hendersonville, Tenn./People's Academy) (Hendersonville, Tenn./People’s Academy) and freshman forward Brad Copelin (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) each added 15 points for McKendree, while sophomore forward Ken Detmer (Aviston, Ill./Breese Central) connected for 12 points in the victory. Senior forward Rod Steele (Birmingham, Ala./Shades Valley) (Birmingham, Ala./Shades Valley) came off the bench to post 11 points in just 11 minutes of action.

 

Copelin and Detmer shared team-high rebounding honors with nine. In the game, McKendree held a 47-26 edge on the boards against Lindenwood.

 

McKendree jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first two minutes of play. Lindenwood (1-1) rallied back and took its largest lead of the night, 28-21, on a jumper by Travis Hawkins with 9:13 left in the first half.

 

The Bearcats responded with a 16-4 run to regain the lead for good at 37-32 with just under four minutes left in the half. McKendree led 42-38 at the intermission and never trailed the rest of the night.

 

Earnie Norman and Richard Rose each scored 14 points to lead Lindenwood, while Jason Schneider chipped in with 12 points in a reserve role. Ehis Osunde grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds for the Lions.