(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 7)—The McKendree University men's basketball team battled its way to an 88-86 come-from-behind victory Friday night in its 2008-09 home opener against Ohio Dominican University.

Senior guard Eric Palm (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) scored nine of his game-high 28 points in the four minutes of play, while sophomore forward Brad Copelin (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) netted 11 of his 12 points in the second half to lead McKendree to its fourth consecutive win. The Bearcats, ranked No. 9 in NAIA Division I, trailed by nine points with just under seven minutes to play to rally for the victory.

McKendree, 4-0 on the year, will head to Parkville, Mo., on Tuesday for a non-conference game against Park University. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

Ohio Dominican (0-1) reeled off five straight points to take its largest lead of the night, 76-67, with 6:53 to play. McKendree clawed its way back and pulled with 80-79 on a lay-up by Copelin at the 3:40 mark. The Panthers' Bryan West scored to extend the margin back to three points before a lay-up by Palm brought the Bearcats back within 82-81. Palm was fouled on the play but missed the free throw.

After an Ohio Dominican miss, Palm scored again on a driving lay-up and was fouled. His free three throw put the Bearcats in front to stay, 84-82, with 2:45 to play. Sophomore forward Eric Hobbie (Vandalia, Ill./Vandalia) (Vandalia, Ill./Vandalia) added a basket with just over a minute on the clock to give McKendree an 86-82 bulge.

Palm sealed the win with two free throws with six seconds remaining. He scored 14 points in each half for his fourth consecutive 20-point game in 2008-09.

Copelin added a team-leading 12 rebounds for a double-double. Hobbie and freshman forward Sean Rakers (New Baden, IL/Wesclin) (New Baden, Ill./Wesclin) each connected for 13 points. Hobbie also registered four blocked shots as Copelin and sophomore guard Andy Wolff (Centralia, Ill./Metro-East Lutheran) (Centralia, Ill./Metro-East Lutheran) dished out four assists each.

Donald Suel led Ohio Dominican with 27 points, while West finished with 14 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.

-McK-