Box Score (LEBANON, Ill., Dec. 10)—The McKendree University men's basketball team opened a five-game home stand with a 94-66 victory Tuesday over Robert Morris University-Springfield.
 
Senior guard Clinton Happe (Evansville, IN/F.J. Reitz) poured in a career-high 27 points while junior guard Mike DiGregorio (Morton Grove, IL/Niles Notre Dame) chipped in with 23 points as the Bearcats used a big second half to notch their third consecutive win. McKendree improves to 5-1 on the season and will host Trevecca Nazarene University Monday at 7 p.m. in the Harry M. Statham Sports Center.
 
Happe was efficient during his career night. He was 7-of-9 from the field, including a 4-of-5 effort from three-point range. Happe was also 9-of-10 from the free throw line in the contest. In his last two games, Happe has connected on 23-of-26 attempts from the charity stripe.
 
After holding a 36-28 lead at the half, McKendree shot 64.3 percent from the floor (18-of-28) in the final 20 minutes to pull away for the victory. That included a 5-of-7 effort from three-point range in the period. The hot shooting in the second half extended to the foul line as well as McKendree made 17-of-20 attempts (85 percent). For the game, the Bearcats shot 53.3 percent from the field (32-of-60).
 
Junior forward Jeremy Price (Chicago, IL/Curie) added 14 points in Tuesday's win, while junior forward Arthur Williams (Cairo, IL/Cairo) had a double-double with 13 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds. Senior forward Will Kirksey (St. Louis, MO/Lafayette) was one rebound shy of a double-double for the Bearcats with 10 points and nine rebounds. DiGregorio contributed team-high totals of four assists and three steals in addition to his 23 points.
 
Robert Morris-Springfield (5-7) held a 23-20 lead with 5:04 left in the first half after a driving lay-up by Robert Calmese. McKendree responded with a 14-1 run to grab the lead for good at 34-24 in the final minute of the period. Happe had seven points during the spurt while DiGregorio added five.
 
The Bearcats took control in the early stages of the second half, scoring the first eight points following the intermission to stretch the margin to 44-28 at the 17:55 mark. Robert Morris-Springfield came as close as 12 points later in the half before McKendree slowly extended its advantage.
 
McKendree held a 42-27 edge on the boards against Robert Morris-Springfield. With the win, the Bearcats remain perfect at home this season, pushing their mark at the Statham Center to 4-0 in 2013-14.