(ATCHISON, Kan., Nov. 22)—The McKendree University men's basketball team dropped a 72-57 decision on Saturday in non-conference play at Benedictine College.

The Bearcats committed a season-high 23 turnovers, including 13 in the first half, to fall for the second time in three games. McKendree, the No. 9 team in NAIA Division I, drops to 6-3 overall. The Bearcats will host Brescia University in a non-conference battle Tuesday at 7 p.m.

At Benedictine, junior forward Ken Detmer (Aviston, Ill./Breese Central) led McKendree with 14 points, while freshman forward Sean Rakers (New Baden, IL/Wesclin) (New Baden, Ill./Wesclin) came off the bench to post 12 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Sophomore forward Brad Copelin (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) connected for 11 points for the Bearcats.

McKendree built a nine-point lead midway through the first half, 17-8, thanks to an 8-0 run. Benedictine (3-2) responded with a 14-2 spurt to grab a 22-19 advantage with just over three minutes left in the period. The Ravens held a 28-24 advantage at the intermission,

In the second half, Benedictine put the game away by reeling off 12 consecutive points to built its lead to 44-31 at the 15:07 mark. McKendree cut the deficit to single digits just one time the remainder of the contest at 51-42 on a free throw by Detmer with just over seven minutes to play.

Chris Henton registered a game-high 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead Benedictine. Chris Bonham chipped in with 15 points and three blocked shots, while Dave Goettelmann posted 11 points, four steals and eight assists for the Ravens.

-McK-