(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 10)—The McKendree University men's basketball team closed out its 2015-16 pre-season schedule on Tuesday with a 106-41 win over St. Louis Christian College at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center.
Five different players scored in double figures as the Bearcats shot 60.6 percent in the first half and never looked back in notching the win. McKendree gained a split of its two exhibition games in 2015-16, having dropped a 95-78 decision on Saturday at NCAA Division I Drake University.
Against St. Louis Christian, junior guard David Franklin (O'Fallon, IL/Althoff Catholic) led the charge for McKendree with 23 points, hitting 11-of-14 field goal attempts. Junior guard Michael Jackson (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) chipped in with 21 points, while Brandon Book (Albers, IL/Breese Central) came off the bench to add 14 points and nine rebounds. Junior forward Darin Winkelman (Steeleville, IL/Steeleville) collected a double-double against the Soldiers with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Sophomore forward Rob Hudson (Schaumburg, IL/Conant) rounded out the list of double-figure scorers for the Bearcats with 12 points.
Junior guard Kyle Yates (Bethalto, IL/Civic Memorial) dished out a game-high six assists as senior guard A.J. Schmidt (New Albany, IN/New Albany) posted five assists and a pair of steals.
McKendree opened the game on a 12-3 run and quickly stretched its lead to 30-13 midway through the first half. St. Louis Christian eventually pulled as close as 13 points before the Bearcats used a burst of nine consecutive points to grab a 50-24 advantage. McKendree hit 20-of-33 attempts from the floor over the first 20 minutes in commanding a 54-30 lead at the intermission.
The Bearcats pulled away over the final 20 minutes, outscoring St. Louis Christian 52-11 in the second half. McKendree put together runs of 13-0 and 29-0 during the period in cruising to the win. Rodney Peters paced the Soldiers with 14 points, while LeAnthony McLeroy had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
McKendree will open its 2015-16 regular season at home on Nov. 17 against Blackburn College. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Statham Center.
