(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 17)—The McKendree College men’s basketball team had its five-game win streak come to an end with a 94-86 loss Saturday at home against the University of Illinois at Springfield.

 

The Bearcats led by as many 17 points in the first half, but the visiting Prairie Stars rallied over the final 33 minutes to claim their first outright American Midwest Conference championship. McKendree slips to 19-9 overall and 7-3 in the AMC. Illinois-Springfield, ranked No. 18 in NAIA Division I, improves to 18-8 on the year and 10-1 in the conference.

 

Senior forward Mike Strobbe (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) notched 24 points and matched his season high with 19 rebounds to lead McKendree. Senior forward Mark Stovall (St. Louis, Mo./Jennings) (St. Louis, Mo./Jennings) added 17 points, while junior guard T.J. Stone (Hendersonville, Tenn./People's Academy) (Hendersonville, Tenn./People’s Academy) chipped in with 14 points for the Bearcats.

 

McKendree broke open a close game in the first half with a 10-2 run to grab a 21-14 lead eight minutes into the contest. The Bearcats stretched their advantage to 36-19 on a layup by Stovall with 8:24 remaining in the half. Illinois-Springfield chipped away at the margin and pulled to within 53-45 at the break.

 

The Prairie Stars outscored the Bearcats 10-3 to start the second half to rally within 56-55 with 17:29 to play. Illinois-Springfield took a five-point lead when McKendree answered back on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Stan Mayfield (Snellville, Ga./Shiloh) (Snellville, Ga./Shiloh) and a layup by sophomore forward Nick Livas (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) to even the contest at 70-70. The Prairie Stars scored the next five points and never trailed again.

 

Eddie Smith poured in a season-high 38 points to lead Illinois-Springfield. Smith also added a team-high 11 rebounds. Cory Farmer added 26 points, four assists and five steals for the Prairie Stars.

 

McKendree will return to action Thursday at home against Missouri Baptist University. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. Prior to the contest, the Bearcats will honor their three seniors on the 2006-07 roster – Strobbe, Stovall and forward A.J. Rudd (Mt. Vernon, Ill./MacArthur) (Mt. Vernon, Ill./MacArthur).