Box Score (LEBANON, Ill., December 1)—The McKendree University men's basketball team overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half to post an 80-70 victory Saturday night at home against Trevecca Nazarene University.
 
Sophomore guard Mike DiGregorio (Morton Grove, IL/Niles Notre Dame) netted a game-high 22 points and helped spark the second-half comeback for the Bearcats, who earned their third consecutive victory. McKendree reaches the .500 mark for the first time this season at 3-3 and will continue its six-game home stand on Tuesday when Principia College comes to the Harry M. Statham Sports Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
 
Senior guard John Steppe (Effingham, IL/St. Anthony) and freshman forward Matt Murphy (Jerseyville, IL/Jersey Community) each added 17 points and four rebounds, while junior guard Clinton Happe (Evansville, IN/F.J. Reitz) chipped in with 16 points and a team-leading seven rebounds in the victory for McKendree. Steppe also dished out a team-best six assists in the contest.
 
After Trevecca Nazarene built a 41-35 lead at the half, the visiting Trojans stretched its advantage to as 49-39 with just over 16 minutes remaining. A jumper from DiGregorio fueled a run of seven straight points for McKendree as the Bearcats pulled within 49-46 with 13:48 remaining. McKendree continued to chip away at the deficit, and a long jumper by Murphy at the 11:01 mark pushed the Bearcats out in front at 54-53.
 
 The Trojans answered with a basket before Murphy stepped up and drilled a three-pointer with 8:27 left to give McKendree the lead for good at 57-55. The Bearcats slowly stretched the lead at the free throw line as Happe and DiGregorio combined to hit seven attempts from the stripe in the final 1:59 of play.
 
For DiGregorio, it marked his second 20-point effort at McKendree. DiGregorio poured in a season-best 26 points in the Bearcats' 82-74 victory over Lincoln University on Nov. 21.
 
J.P. Nyadaro pumped in a team-high 21 points to lead Trevecca Nazarene, which slips to 1-8 on the season. Maliek Daniels added 20 points and eight rebounds, while Marquise Rudolph flirted with a triple-double for the Trojans as he finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and a team-high six assists.
 
McKendree and Trevecca Nazarene will meet once more this season on Dec. 15 in Nashville, Tenn. That will be the Bearcats' final non-conference game of the year.