(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 24)—The McKendree University men’s basketball team hit 10-of-16 shots from three-point range on its way to a 78-61 victory Thursday in American Midwest Conference action at Harris-Stowe State University.

 

Senior guard T.J. Stone (Hendersonville, Tenn./People's Academy) (Hendersonville, Tenn./People’s Academy) made all six of his three-point attempts in the first half on his way to a team-high 20 points to lead the way for the Bearcats. McKendree, now 15-5 overall and ranked No. 15 in NAIA Division I, remained perfect in AMC play at 5-0. The Bearcats were able to take sole possession of first place in the conference standings when No. 21 Columbia College was upset at home Thursday by Hannibal-LaGrange College, 63-60.

 

McKendree and Columbia will meet Saturday at the Melvin Price Convocation Center in a battle of NAIA-ranked squads. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.

 

Sophomore forward Ken Detmer (Aviston, Ill./Breese Central), the reigning AMC Player of the Week, posted a double-double with 18 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Freshman forward Brad Copelin (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) also had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while freshman forward Eric Hobbie (Vandalia, Ill./Vandalia) (Vandalia, Ill./Vandalia) registered 15 points for the Bearcats.

 

In the first half, McKendree used a 13-2 run to build a double-digit lead at 20-8 with 11:54 left in the period. Stone had a trio of three-pointers during the spurt. The Bearcats eventually stretched the margin to 19 points before taking its 40-25 lead into the locker room.

 

Harris-Stowe (7-13, 2-3 AMC) pulled to within 64-55 on a basket and free throw by Mack Caldwell with eight minutes remaining. But the Bearcats quickly regained their double-digit lead and cruised to the win.

 

Phillip Stewart led the Hornets with 18 points, while Brandon Davis connected for 10 points. Andre Aaron pulled down a team-leading 10 rebounds for Harris-Stowe.