(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 1)—The McKendree College men’s basketball team made a season-high 33 free throws on its way to a 73-61 home victory Thursday against Hannibal-LaGrange College.

 

The Bearcats went 33-for-37 from the free throw line, including a 27-for-31 effort in the second half, as the Bearcats pulled away in the closing minutes for the American Midwest Conference victory. McKendree improves to 15-8 overall and 4-2 in the AMC, and will have a week off before a conference road contest at Columbia College on Feb. 8. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.

 

Sophomore guard Eric Palm (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) led McKendree with 22 points. He was a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line in the victory. Senior forward Mike Strobbe (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) added 17 points and a team-high eight rebounds for the Bearcats, while senior guard Mark Stovall (St. Louis, Mo./Jennings) (St. Louis, Mo./Jennings) chipped in with 12 points for the Bearcats.

 

McKendree trailed 11-6 in the opening moments before reeling off 13 consecutive points to take the lead for good, 19-11, midway through the first half. Hannibal-LaGrange rallied to within 23-20 before the Bearcats extended the margin back to 30-23 at the intermission.

 

The Trojans rallied midway through the second half and pulled to within 43-41 on a three-pointer by Matt Smith with 9:47 remaining. McKendree answered by scoring the next six points, and was able to increase its lead from the foul line. The Bearcats scored their final 13 points from the charity stripe, making 13-of-14 attempts in the process.

 

Josh Pickett had a team-high 20 points and six assists to lead Hannibal-LaGrange, which dropped to 9-12 overall and 2-4 in AMC play. Wayne McPike connected for 14 points for the Trojans.