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(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 27)--The McKendree University men's basketball team will continue its season-long six-game home stand with games against Lincoln Christian University on Tuesday followed by a Saturday night match-up with Trevecca Nazarene University. Both contests are set for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
The Bearcats earned their first victory of the 2012-13 season in the home opener on Wednesday as they held off a late comeback bid from Lincoln University, 82-74.
Clinton Happe (Evansville, IN/F.J. Reitz) and
Mike DiGregorio (Morton Grove, IL/Niles Notre Dame) each poured in 26 points to lead the way for McKendree, which improved to 16-5 in its last 21 home openers since the 1992-93 season. For Happe -- who scored 21 of his points in the first half -- it marked a career-high effort, topping the 22 points he scored in a game against Ohio State University-Marion as a freshman in 2010. Happe made all six of his three-point attempts in the first half as the Bearcats raced to a 50-34 lead at the intermission.
John Steppe (Effingham, IL/St. Anthony), who finished the night with 11 points, boosted his career scoring total to 1,028 points. Steppe currently sits in a three-way tie for 45th place on the Bearcats' all-time scoring list with Ted Longust and former teammate Kenny Detmer.
Tuesday's game will mark the first meeting between McKendree and Lincoln Christian. The Red Lions come to Lebanon with an overall record of 2-3. Lincoln Christian has not played since Nov. 20, when it dropped a 101-67 decision at the hands of Greenville College. Three players average in double figures for the Red Lions, led by Brady Clemeens' 19.8 points per contest. Gabe Langseth is posting 15.6 points per outing, while David Graves has chipped in 12 points per outing.
Trevecca Nazarene, which is in Year One Candidacy of its transition towards NCAA Division II membership, is 1-6 overall and will play at Maryville University on Friday evening. The Trojans feature a balanced scoring attack, led by Maliek Daniels' 12.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Marquise Rudolph is the only other Trevecca Nazarene player averaging in double figures at 10.6 per contest.
