VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

(LEBANON, Ill., Dec. 9)—The McKendree University men's basketball team bounced back into the win column Wednesday night with a 92-57 victory at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center against Central Christian College.
 
Freshman guard Nate Michael (St. Joseph, IL/St. Joseph-Ogden) poured in a career-high 28 points – including 19 in the first half – to show the way for the Bearcats. McKendree moves to 5-2 on the season and will continue its home stand Saturday night by hosting Trevecca Nazarene University in non-conference play. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
 
Michael drilled eight three-point field goals in the win over Central Christian, six of which came in the first half. He also added five rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals for the Bearcats. Junior guard David Franklin (O'Fallon, IL/Althoff Catholic) helped out with 13 points, eight rebounds and a game-high eight assists, while sophomore forward Rob Hudson (Schaumburg, IL/Conant) came off the bench to add 12 points. Junior guard Michael Jackson (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) and junior forward Darin Winkelman (Steeleville, IL/Steeleville) each connected for 10 points on the night for McKendree, and senior center David Newton (Rochelle, IL/Rochelle) matched Franklin with eight rebounds.
 
Central Christian (5-3) led by four points in the opening moments before McKendree grabbed the lead for good midway through the first half. A run of eight consecutive points pushed the Bearcats out to a 19-15 lead, and was part of a 25-5 burst that stretched the margin to 36-20 with 6:47 to play in the period. Michael helped fuel the decisive run for McKendree as he knocked down four three-pointers over the stretch.
 
McKendree took a 44-28 lead at the intermission, then pulled away by shooting 63.3 percent from the field (19-of-30) in the final 20 minutes of play. The Bearcats made 51.5 percent of their field goal attempts on the night (34-of-66), making 14 shots from long distance. In the contest, the McKendree bench connected for 52 points and held a 20-5 edge in points off turnovers.
 
Lebarin Eaton paced Central Christian with 15 points, while DuJuan Henderson added 11 points. Gibson Louis hauled in a game-high 11 rebounds for the Saints.