(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 7)—The McKendree University men's basketball team tipped off its 2015-16 exhibition slate with a 95-78 loss Saturday afternoon at NCAA Division I Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Two players making their debuts for the Bearcats led the team in scoring in the first of two scheduled exhibition contests this season. Junior forward Darin Winkelman (Steeleville, IL/Steeleville) poured in a game-high 32 points, drilling six three-point field goals while pulling down a team-leading nine rebounds. Junior guard David Franklin (O'Fallon, IL/Althoff Catholic) chipped in with 23 points and four rebounds against the Bulldogs. Junior guard Michael Jackson (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) also reached double figures in the scoring column for McKendree with 13 points.

The Bearcats could not overcome the hot shooting of Drake. The Bulldogs connected on 59.3 percent (35-of-59) of their field goal attempts against McKendree, including a 64.3 percent clip (18-of-28) over the final 20 minutes. The Bearcats held a commanding 14-3 edge in second-chance points on the day. Drake had 13 players who saw action in Saturday's game and held a 29-3 advantage in bench scoring.

McKendree stayed close in the opening minutes, using a lay-up from Franklin to pull within 11-10 five minutes into the contest. Moments later, Drake reeled off seven consecutive points to start a 12-3 spurt in stretching the margin to 24-15 midway through the period. The Bulldogs eventually pushed their lead to as many as 19 points in the period before taking a 51-37 lead at the intermission. The margin grew to 28 points in the later stages of the second half as Drake was able to finish off the win.

On Tuesday, McKendree will host St. Louis Christian College in the Bearcats' lone home exhibition game at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.