Box Score (JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Nov. 14)—Senior guard
John Steppe (Effingham, IL/St. Anthony) became the newest member of the McKendree University 1,000-point club as the Bearcats were defeated at Lincoln University in men's basketball action on Wednesday, 86-72.
The host Blue Tigers shot 54.3 percent in the first half to build a double-digit lead and earn the non-conference win. McKendree slides to 0-3 on the season and will have a week off before hosting Lincoln again next Wednesday (Nov. 21) at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
Steppe, who finished the night with game-high totals of 22 points and 10 rebounds, needed just five points entering the contest to reach the milestone. Steppe hit the mark with a jumper and free throw with 11:41 remaining in the first half. He is the 47
th player in McKendree men's basketball history to score at least 1,000 points in a career. With his 22-point performance, Steppe now has 1,017 points with the Bearcats.
Junior guard
Clinton Happe (Evansville, IN/F.J. Reitz) chipped in with 18 points for McKendree, while freshman forward
Matt Murphy (Jerseyville, IL/Jersey Community) contributed 11 points. Freshman guard
A.J. Schmidt (New Albany, IN/New Albany) had his first double-digit scoring effort for the Bearcats as he netted 10 points in a reserve role.
Lincoln (1-2) raced out to an early 19-9 lead before McKendree started to chip away at the deficit. A three-pointer from Happe sparked a 7-0 run that brought the Bearcats within 26-24 with 8:23 left in the period. The Blue Tigers answered by scoring the next 12 points to build a 38-24 advantage with just over four minutes remaining in the period.
After taking a 45-34 lead at the intermission, Lincoln opened the second half on a 12-3 spurt to command a 57-37 lead with 17:18 remaining. The Blue Tigers led by as many as 24 points in rolling to the win.
Cedric Ridle led Lincoln with 21 points, with 17 of those coming in the first half. Ridle also pulled down a team-leading eight rebounds in the victory. Charles Cole chipped in with 17 points, while DeShun Watkins added 12 points for the Blue Tigers.
