Box Score (LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 12)—The McKendree University men's basketball team ended a three-game losing streak Thursday thanks to an 84-78 victory Thursday evening at home against Rockhurst University.
 
For the first time this season, all five starters scored in double figures for the Bearcats. Sophomore guard Michael Jackson (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) led the attack with 21 points as McKendree improved to 10-12 overall and 3-11 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Bearcats, who opened a five-game home stand with Thursday's contest, will take on William Jewell College Saturday afternoon at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center. Tip-off for the Senior Day contest is set for 3 p.m.
 
Senior forward Logan Carson (DuQuoin, IL/DuQuoin) added 19 points and a team-high three blocked shots for McKendree, while junior forward John Murphy (Peoria, IL/Richwoods) matched a career-high with 16 points in the effort. Murphy also pulled down a team-leading seven rebounds for the Bearcats. Senior forward Matt Holmes (Houston, TX/Marshall) chipped in with 13 points and six rebounds, and junior guard A.J. Schmidt (New Albany, IN/New Albany) netted a season-high 10 points for McKendree.
 
After McKendree held a 41-32 lead at the half, Rockhurst chipped away as the Bearcats' lead and surged in front for the first time on the night at 51-49 on a three-pointer by Liam Duffy with 13:42 to play. Just over a minute later, McKendree regained the lead for good at 53-52 on a driving lay-up by Murphy with 12:22 on the clock. The Bearcats eventually stretched the margin back to nine points at 68-59 following a three-pointer from Jackson at the 6:50 mark.
 
Rockhurst made one final run at the Bearcats, getting within 75-73 with just over a minute to play before Murphy stepped up and drilled a pair of free throws with 52.4 seconds remaining, giving McKendree a 77-73 lead. After a Hawks' miss, Carson was fouled and drained two more foul shots to push the Bearcats out to a 79-73 advantage with 27.8 seconds on the clock. Rockhurst would again pull within two points in the closing seconds before Carson and Murphy each hit two more free throws at the end to seal the win for McKendree.
 
The Bearcats hit their first five shots of the contest to open with a 14-2 run. McKendree eventually increased its lead to 23-9 on a three-pointer by Jackson with just over 12 minutes left in the opening period. Rockhurst chipped away at the deficit and closed to within 32-28 at the 4:16 mark before a 7-0 run helped the Bearcats grab a double-digit lead once again at 39-28 with 1:27 left until halftime.
 
Dominique Washington led the way for Rockhurst (6-16, 2-12 GLVC) with 19 points, while Liam Duffy came off the bench to add 18 points – all from three-point range. Adam Fatkin chipped in with 16 points, three blocks and a game-high nine rebounds for the Hawks.