Box Score
BOX SCORE

(McKENZIE, Tenn., Nov. 19)—The McKendree University men's basketball team rebounded from a Friday night loss at the Bethel University/McDonald's Classic with a 95-78 victory Saturday afternoon against Central Baptist College in McKenzie, Tenn.
 
A pair of Bearcats netted career-highs in leading the Bearcats to their fourth win in five outings. Freshman guard Jake Hill (Toronto, Ontario, Canada/LaLumiere) poured in a game-high 23 points, while junior guard John Steppe (Effingham, IL/St. Anthony) (Effingham, Ill./St. Anthony) connected for a career-best 22 points and added five assists. McKendree, now 4-2 on the season, will return to the court next weekend at the Union University Thanksgiving Classic in Jackson, Tenn. The Bearcats will open with host Union on Friday at 7 p.m. before taking on Freed-Hardeman University next Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
Defensively, McKendree held Central Baptist to just 32.5 percent shooting in the contest, including a 28.2 percent effort in the first half as the Bearcats built a 49-30 halftime advantage. McKendree held a 56-38 edge in rebounding and forced 18 turnovers by the Mustangs.
 
Junior forward David Ruckman (Freeburg, IL/Freeburg) (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) registered his first double-double of the 2011-12 season with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds in the win for McKendree. Making his first career start for the Bearcats, senior guard Kyle Heckert (Venedy, IL/Okawville) (Venedy, Ill./Okawville) helped out with 11 points, six rebounds and four assists.
 
In addition, sophomore guard Mike Springs (Waukegan, IL/Waukegan) dished out a game-high seven assists for McKendree.
 
Spencer Caraway scored a team-leading 18 points for Central Baptist, which is now 2-8 on the year. Brian Shyne came off the bench to post 13 points for the Mustangs.