Box Score (LEBANON, Ill., Dec. 6)—The McKendree University men's basketball team remained perfect on the season after steaming past Central Christian College Saturday afternoon at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center, 96-44.
 
The Bearcats shot 71 percent in the first half on its way to a 52-19 lead and never looked back in pushing its record to 4-0 on the year. McKendree also committed just three turnovers in the contest and received a big effort from its bench, outscoring the Central Christian reserves 44-2 in cruising to the win.
 
Four different players scored in double figures in the win for McKendree. Senior guard Logan Carson (DuQuoin, IL/DuQuoin) led the way with 19 points, including 13 in the first half. Junior forward John Murphy (Peoria, IL/Richwoods) netted all 15 of his points in the opening half, while sophomore forward Brian Koch (Mt. Vernon, IN/Mt. Vernon) scored his 13 points over the final 10-plus minutes of play. Sophomore guard Michael Jackson (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) also contributed 10 points in a reserve role for the Bearcats, who posted a season-high in points.
 
McKendree opened the contest on a 22-6 run thanks to 9-of-10 shooting from the field, which included successful attempts on its first five shots. Murphy had seven points during the opening spurt for the Bearcats. The teams traded baskets over the next few minutes before McKendree reeled off 16 consecutive points to stretch its margin to 45-12 with 2:28 left until halftime. Murphy again figured prominently in the run with six more points.
 
Senior forward Matt Holmes (Houston, TX/Marshall) scored four of the Bearcats' final seven points in the half, including a lay-up with four seconds left in the period, to give McKendree a 52-19 lead at the intermission. The Bearcats continued to extend the lead throughout the second half, posting its biggest advantage at 96-41 on a free-throw line jumper by sophomore guard Kyle Yates (Bethalto, IL/Civic Memorial) with just under a minute to play.
 
Holmes, junior forward Brandon Book (Albers, IL/Breese Central) and sophomore guard Michael Feezer (Mt. Vernon, IL/Mt. Vernon) each pulled down five rebounds to lead McKendree. Carson dished out a team-best five assists, while junior guard A.J. Schmidt (New Albany, IN/New Albany) collected a game-high three steals for the Bearcats.
 
McKendree, which was holding its opponents to just 28.6 percent shooting from three-point range entering Saturday's contest, limited Central Christian to a 0-for-10 effort from beyond the arc. The Saints also made just 36.2 percent of their shots from the floor against the Bearcats.
 
Victor Dean paced Central Christian with 16 points and six rebounds, while Brady Johnson added 15 points for the Saints.
 
The Bearcats will continue their three-game home stand on Wednesday when Greenville College comes to Lebanon for a non-conference battle. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.