Box Score (SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 27)—The McKendree University men's basketball team closed out its 2013-14 season Thursday with a 78-61 loss at the University of Illinois Springfield.
The host Prairie Stars closed the first half on a 14-5 run to break open a close game and take command for the victory. McKendree wraps up its season with an overall record of 9-17. The Bearcats were 3-15 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play.
Junior guard
Mike DiGregorio (Morton Grove, IL/Niles Notre Dame) led the Bearcats with 15 points and a game-high six assists, while senior forward
Will Kirksey (St. Louis, MO/Lafayette) closed out his McKendree career with 12 points in the contest.
Thanks to its win over McKendree, combined with an 89-85 Quincy University loss on Thursday at Truman State University, Illinois Springfield grabbed the 12
th and final spot in the field for the upcoming GLVC Tournament. First-round games will be played Sunday at campus sites.
McKendree was limited to just 36.1 percent shooting for the night (22-of-61). The Prairie Stars also held a 46-32 edge on the boards against the Bearcats.
The teams traded baskets in the first several minutes, with UIS edging out to a 12-11 lead. The Prairie Stars then reeled off seven consecutive points to build a 19-11 cushion at the 11:20 mark of the first half. The Bearcats were able to trim the deficit, pulling within 25-19 thanks to a three-pointer by junior guard
Mike Springs (Waukegan, IL/Waukegan) with 7:50 left until halftime. Illinois Springfield then turned up the pressure on McKendree, holding the Bearcats to just two field goals over the final six minutes while closing the period with its 14-5 run, taking a 39-24 lead at the intermission.
The Prairie Stars then put the game away in the opening minutes of the second half, outscoring McKendree 16-4 over the first six minutes of the period to extend its lead to 55-28.
Dylan Sparkman led Illinois Springfield with a double-double, posting 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Jamall Millison chipped in with 15 points, while Dusko Despot came off the bench to add 10 points for the Prairie Stars.
McKendree and Illinois Springfield split their two-game season series in 2013-14, with each team winning on its home floor. The Bearcats rallied from a 16-point deficit with 9:55 left in regulation to register a 102-100 overtime win over the Prairie Stars on Jan. 20 in Lebanon.
