(NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 28)—The McKendree University men's basketball team improved to 4-0 on the season with an 86-80 victory Saturday afternoon at Trevecca Nazarene University.
 
The Bearcats overcame a 12-point deficit just eight minutes into the contest to rally for the win in their first road game of the 2015-16 regular season. McKendree will take its 4-0 record into Great Lakes Valley Conference play on Thursday with a trip to Evansville, Ind., to face the University of Southern Indiana. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
At Trevecca Nazarene, senior forward Brandon Book (Albers, IL/Breese Central) registered a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds to help show the way for McKendree. Junior guard David Franklin (O'Fallon, IL/Althoff Catholic) notched 11 of his 18 points in the second half, while junior guard Michael Jackson (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) added 13 points in the effort. Freshman guard Nate Michael (St. Joseph, IL/St. Joseph-Ogden) connected for 10 of his 12 points during the first half for the Bearcats, who held a 37-24 edge in bench scoring against the Trojans.
 
Senior forward John Murphy (Peoria, IL/Richwoods) matched Book with 11 rebounds in the win, while Franklin dished out a team-leading four assists for McKendree.
 
Trevecca Nazarene (1-5) hit three consecutive three-pointers to open play and build a quick 9-2 lead just 81 seconds into Saturday's contest. The Trojans later used an 8-0 run to take its largest lead of the day at 21-9 with 12:35 remaining in the first half. McKendree began to chip away at the deficit and closed to within 26-22 thanks to a three-pointer from sophomore forward Rob Hudson (Schaumburg, IL/Conant) at the 7:34 mark. Trevecca Nazarene answered with a three-pointer of its own to regain a seven-point advantage before the Bearcats took the lead late in the period.
 
A three-pointer by Book ignited a 10-2 run that gave McKendree its first lead of the game. Michael capped the burst by hitting a pair of free throws with 3:41 left in the period to push the Bearcats in front at 32-31. Trevecca Nazarene scored on its next possession before McKendree closed the half on a 16-4 over the final 3:07 to take a 48-37 lead into the locker room. The Bearcats connected on 56.7 percent of their field goal attempts (17-of-30) in the first 20 minutes of play.
 
The McKendree lead grew to as many as 14 points in the second half before Trevecca Nazarene rallied down the stretch. A run of nine straight points helped the Trojans pull within 73-71 at the 6:09 mark. The hosts eventually pulled even at 75-75 before the Bearcats grabbed the lead for good. Franklin hit two free throws with 3:19 on the clock to push McKendree in front at 77-75. The Bearcats were able to maintain their advantage heading into the final minute when senior guard A.J. Schmidt (New Albany, IN/New Albany) knocked down his only three-pointer of the contest with 44.3 seconds left to extend the lead out to 82-77.
 
Trevecca Nazarene came as close as 82-80 before Book and Franklin each hit a pair of foul shots in the final 16 seconds to seal the triumph for the Bearcats. McKendree made 20-of-22 free throw attempts (93.3 percent) against the Trojans, including a 14-for-15 clip in the second half.
 
Matt Gamberoni and Byron Sanford each scored 20 points to lead Trevecca Nazarene. Gameroni also pulled down 11 rebounds to record the double-double for the Trojans.
 
Saturday's win marked the third straight year that McKendree has posted a victory on Trevecca Nazarene's home floor. The two teams will meet again Dec. 12 at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center in Lebanon.