(COLUMBIA, Mo., Feb. 8)—The McKendree College men’s basketball team took control over the final 20 minutes to pull away for an 87-68 victory Thursday at Columbia College.

 

The Bearcats shot 66.7 percent (18-of-27) and held a 12-rebound advantage on the boards in the second half as McKendree recorded its largest margin of victory at the Arena at Southwell Complex. The Bearcats, who have won four of their last five games at Columbia, moved into second place in the American Midwest Conference standings at 5-2. McKendree is 17-8 overall and has won three consecutive games.

 

Senior forward Mike Strobbe (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) (Ferguson, Mo./McCluer) scored 15 of his game-high 23 points in the second half, while senior forward Mark Stovall (St. Louis, Mo./Jennings) (St. Louis, Mo./Jennings) connected for 13 of his 22 points in the final 20 minutes of play. Sophomore forward Nick Livas (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) added 16 points and a career-high 16 rebounds for the Bearcats. Sophomore guard Eric Palm (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) scored all 16 of his points in the first half for McKendree.

 

Columbia led for the majority of the first half, and enjoyed a 28-17 advantage with just over nine minutes remaining in the period. The Cougars made four consecutive three-point field goals on their way to the 11-point lead. McKendree started to chip away at the deficit, and used a 9-2 run to pull within 35-32 with just over five minutes left in the half.

     

A basket and free throw by Palm enabled McKendree to tie the game for the first time, 39-39. On the Bearcats’ next possession, Strobbe scored on an offensive rebound and putback for McKendree’s first lead of the night, 41-39. Palm closed out the first-half scoring with a short jumper, and the Bearcats took a 43-39 lead at the intermission.

 

The Cougars stayed within striking range early in the second half, coming within three points on four different occasions in the period, the last coming at 54-51 on a basket by Trae Hall with 14:28 to play. McKendree responded with a 16-2 run to take control of the contest, 70-53, with just over nine minutes left. Stovall had eight points during the decisive spurt, including a pair of three-pointers.

 

Bryant Chambly led a balanced scoring attack for Columbia (13-13, 5-3 AMC) with 13 points, while Marcus Bradford, Mikel Fields and Terren Wilson each posted 11 points.

 

McKendree will play host to Harris-Stowe State University Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Melvin Price Convocation Center.

 

NOTE: McKendree College Alumni Night will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17 when the Bearcats take on the University of Illinois at Springfield at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. The McKendree women’s team will play at 5 p.m., with tip-off for the men’s contest set for 7 p.m. McKendree alumni will receive free general admission and a T-shirt. There will be special activities for alumni between games. For more information, contact the McKendree Office of Alumni Relations at 1-800-BEARCAT, ext. 6813.