(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 24)--The McKendree University men's basketball team will close out a season of transition this weekend at the D-II Vegas Challenge in Las Vegas, Nev. The Bearcats will meet the University of Sioux Falls in opening-round play Saturday evening before wrapping up the year with a Sunday night contest versus Minot State University. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. PST (10 p.m. CST).

The McKendree athletic programs are in the midst of a three-year transition towards NCAA Division II membership, and the Bearcat basketball squad has been busy preparing itself for the jump into Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play in 2012-13. McKendree will take over the schedule slot that opened when Northern Kentucky University announced earlier this year it would elevate its programs to NCAA Division I status and join the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Bearcats will compete as members of the GLVC's East Division next year.

In 2011-12, McKendree has played an independent schedule that included 12 home games along with nine neutral-site contests. The Bearcats bring a 17-11 record to Las Vegas under the leadership of head coach Harry Statham. Now in his 46th season at the helm of the McKendree program, Statham is the all-time wins leader in men's college basketball history with 1,060 victories.

Four seniors will be wrapping up their McKendree careers this weekend. Forward Sean Rakers (New Baden, IL/Wesclin) enters the final weekend just three points shy of the 1,500-point mark for his career. Rakers stands 24th on the Bearcats' all-time scoring list, trailing Darrell Flake (1,499 points) for 23rd place and Rich Herrin (1,502 points) for the 22nd spot.

Guards Karrington Pettiford (Florissant, MO/Christian Brothers) and Kyle Heckert (Venedy, IL/Okawville) have battled through early-season injuries to become key starters for the Bearcats. Pettiford, a two-year starter, is averaging just under 10 points her outing and is second on the squad with 38 three-point field goals. Heckert is one of four McKendree players scoring in double figures at 10.3 points per game and is tied for third in rebounding at five per contest.

Forward Ian Ridge (Flora, IL/Flora) has moved into a valuable role as the Bearcats' sixth man in his senior campaign. Ridge is contributing 5.7 points and five caroms per game.

Sioux Falls comes to Las Vegas with an overall record of 16-8, while Minot State enters the weekend with a 3-21 record. Both the Cougars and Beavers are provisional members of NCAA Division II and will compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in the 2012-13 season.

Results from the D-II Vegas Showdown will be posted on the McKendree athletics website at the conclusion of each contest.