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(LEBANON, Ill., Dec. 16)—The McKendree University men's basketball team rolled into the holiday break thanks to an 80-56 victory Wednesday night at home against Salem International University.
 
After holding a 38-34 lead at the intermission, the Bearcats used solid performances at both ends of the court to pull away for the non-conference victory. McKendree improves to 6-3 on the season and will have 17 days away from the court before returning to action on Saturday, Jan. 2 at home against Robert Morris University-Peoria. Tip-off for the Bearcats' final non-conference tilt of the 2015-16 season is slated for 7 p.m.
 
For the second consecutive game, junior guard David Franklin (O'Fallon, IL/Althoff Catholic) posted a double-double in helping McKendree to victory. Franklin registered 26 points – 19 of which came in the first half – and 10 rebounds against the Tigers. Junior forward Darin Winkelman (Steeleville, IL/Steeleville) also had a double-double in Wednesday's win with 12 points and a season-high 12 rebounds. Senior guard A.J. Schmidt (New Albany, IN/New Albany) netted a career-high 12 points and dished out a team-best four assists in the effort, while junior guard Michael Jackson (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) scored 10 points for the Bearcats.
 
In the final 20 minutes of play, McKendree shot 51.7 percent from the field (15-of-29) while holding Salem International to just 29.6 percent from the floor (8-of-27) in the same span. The Bearcats also held a 45-25 edge in rebounding in the contest and outrebounded the Tigers by 10 boards in each half. In addition, McKendree outscored Salem International in the paint by a 48-26 margin.
 
McKendree led by as many as six points in the opening minutes before Salem International (3-8) controlled the tempo in the middle stages of the period. The Tigers clawed back and took a five-point lead on three different occasions, the last coming at 33-28 with 4:53 left until halftime. The Bearcats responded holding Salem International without a field goal the remainder of the half. McKendree closed the half on a 10-1 run to take a 38-34 lead into the locker room. Franklin dropped in six consecutive points during the burst.
 
In the second half, the contest remained close before a 16-2 run helped McKendree take control at 66-47 with 9:15 to play. Five different players scored during the run for the Bearcats. McKendree continued to increase its lead and outscored the Tigers over the final 20 minutes of play, 42-22.
 
Tyler Bell came off the bench to lead Salem International with 14 points. Conrad Etchi added 13 points and five rebounds, while Victory Blakey handed out a game-high seven assists for the Tigers.