Box Score (LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 25)—The McKendree University men's basketball team jumped out to a 24-6 lead in the first eight minutes of play and rolled to a 108-54 victory Wednesday night at home against Robert Morris University-Springfield.
 
The Bearcats hit 17 three-point shots and connected on 55.7 percent shooting from the field in topping the 100-point mark for the second straight night. McKendree improves to 3-0 on the season and will hit the road for the first time this season on Saturday. The Bearcats will visit Nashville, Tenn., for a non-conference battle against Trevecca Nazarene University. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
 
All 11 players who saw action in the contest for McKendree found their way into the scoring column. Junior forward Darin Winkelman (Steeleville, IL/Steeleville) led a balanced attack with 17 points while pulling down a team-best eight rebounds. Senior forward Brandon Book (Albers, IL/Breese Central) contributed 14 points and a game-high three blocked shots, while senior center David Newton (Rochelle, IL/Rochelle) posted 12 points and seven rebounds for the Bearcats.
 
Sophomore forward Rob Hudson (Schaumburg, IL/Conant) and freshman guard Nate Michael (St. Joseph, IL/St. Joseph-Ogden) each chipped in with 11 points in a reserve role, while junior guard Michael Jackson (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) added 10 points and six rebounds. Junior guard David Franklin (O'Fallon, IL/Althoff Catholic) dished out a game-high seven assists for McKendree.
 
The Bearcats held a huge advantage in bench scoring in Wednesday's win over Robert Morris-Springfield. The McKendree reserves combined for 65 points compared to just seven points for the Eagles' bench.
 
McKendree never trailed in the contest, racing to a 16-4 advantage just five minutes into the first half. Following a Robert Morris-Springfield basket, the Bearcats reeled off eight straight points to extend its margin to 24-6 with 12:19 left in the opening period. McKendree continued to increase its lead throughout the half, as a three-pointer by junior guard Kyle Yates (Bethalto, IL/Civic Memorial) just before the horn sounded sent the Bearcats into the locker room with a 62-25 halftime advantage. McKendree made nearly 59 percent of its field goal attempts (20-of-34) in the first 20 minutes of action.
 
In the second half, McKendree continued to add to the margin, taking its largest lead of the night at 104-48 following a lay-up by Michael with 4:12 remaining.
 
Brandel Griggs poured in a game-high 27 points to show the way for Robert Morris-Springfield (0-4). Tony Hays contributed a double-double for the Eagles with 16 points and 12 rebounds despite playing the entire second half with four fouls.
 
Wednesday's victory marked the first time since the 2013-14 season that McKendree scored at least 100 points in consecutive games. The Bearcats posted a 102-100 overtime triumph over the University of Illinois Springfield on Jan. 20, 2014 at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center before following up three days later with a 102-91 decision against Saint Joseph's College.