(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 31)—Junior guard Eric Hobbie (Vandalia, Ill./Vandalia) (Vandalia, Ill./Vandalia) became the newest member of the McKendree University 1,000-point club as the Bearcats held off an upset bid from Trinity International University Saturday in Lebanon, 83-73. The game marked the 2009-10 season opener for both squads.
McKendree, the No. 5 team in the NAIA Division I pre-season poll, won its fourth consecutive season opener. The Bearcats have now won all 10 meetings against Trinity International.
Hobbie, who finished the night with a game-high 21 points, reached the career milestone on a dunk with 15:57 left in the first half. Hobbie becomes the 43rd member of the Bearcats' 1,000-point club, and now has 1,013 points. Hobbie also added nine rebounds along with three blocked shots.
Trinity International (0-1) cut a 23-point second-half deficit down to just three points, 73-70, with 3:39 remaining. But McKendree (1-0) closed the contest on a 10-3 run to collect the victory.
Saturday's win also marked career victory No. 996 for McKendree head coach Harry Statham. Now in his 44th season at the helm of the Bearcats' program, Statham is the all-time wins leader in men's college basketball history at the four-year level.
Sophomore forward Sean Rakers (New Baden, IL/Wesclin) (New Baden, Ill./Wesclin) came off the bench to add 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks for McKendree, while junior forward Brad Copelin (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) notched a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Karrington Pettiford (Florissant, MO/Christian Brothers) (Florissant, Mo./Christian Brothers) chipped in with 10 points and five assists, and junior guard RaShad May (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) dished out a game-high seven assists for the Bearcats.
McKendree started the game on a 13-3 run before Trinity International chipped away at the deficit and pulled to within 24-21 midway through the period. The Bearcats responded by reeling off 12 consecutive points to regain a 36-21 with 4:18 left until intermission. McKendree spread the wealth as five different players scored during the spurt.
Hobbie hit a three-pointer just before the half ended to give the Bearcats a 45-26 lead at the break. The Bearcats took their largest lead of the night, 56-33, with 16:50 remaining on a free throw by Copelin. The Trojans battled back once again, and used a 13-3 run to rally within 66-60 at the 8:40 mark. Trinity International eventually pulled within three points but could get no closer.
Patrick Atkins scored 17 points and added four steals in a reserve role to pace Trinity International. Tyrone Smith chipped in with 15 points while Ignas Verbus connected for 14 points.
McKendree will play host to No. 12-ranked Lindenwood University Wednesday at 7 p.m.
-McK-
