(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 19)—The McKendree University men's basketball team overcame a slow start to post a 90-80 victory Saturday night at home against Crowley' Ridge College.
 
The host Bearcats trailed by as many as 13 points midway through the first half before using a 23-6 run to grab the lead for good. McKendree improves to 2-0 on the season and be at home again on Tuesday to face Lincoln University in non-conference action. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center.
 
Senior guard Michael Jackson (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) and junior guard Justin Blanks (Barberton, OH/Norton) each had big offensive nights in leading McKendree to the win over Crowley's Ridge. Jackson poured in a career-high 29 points, including 16 in the second half, while adding five rebounds and four assists. In his first start for the Bearcats, Blanks netted 28 points and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Blanks also grabbed six rebounds for McKendree, which held a 52-44 edge on the boards against Crowley's Ridge.
 
Freshman center Nolan Gerling (Germantown, IL/Mater Dei) scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half for McKendree. He also pulled down eight rebounds. Senior forward Darin Winkelman (Steeleville, IL/Steeleville) narrowly missed a double-double for the Bearcats with nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Junior guard Gianni Otto (Remseck, Germany/Otto-Hahn-Gymnasium) led all players with seven assists and five steals in the effort for McKendree.
 
Crowley's Ridge (1-6) jumped out to a fast start, building a 12-4 lead in the first 4:26 of play. The Pioneers connected on five of their first six three-point attempts in stretching their advantage to 24-11 with 10:52 remaining in the half. Blanks then sank two free throws and a hit a three-pointer to help fuel a 10-0 run to bring the Bearcats within 24-21 just over two minutes later.
 
The Pioneers regained a seven-point lead before McKendree began to chip away once again. A free throw by Jackson with 3:22 left before intermission capped a 13-2 run to put the Bearcats ahead for good at 34-30. Blanks was again a key figure in the burst by scoring seven points. McKendree limited Crowley's Ridge to just two field goals over the final 7:25 of the period while taking a 44-33 lead into the locker room.
 
Momentum stayed on the side of the Bearcats at the outset of the second half as McKendree opened the period with an 11-2 spurt to take its largest lead of the night, 55-35, with 16:23 on the clock. Gerling scored eight of the 11 points for McKendree, with Jackson adding a three-pointer.
 
Crowley's Ridge put together a late run at McKendree, scoring 10 consecutive points to pull within 69-60 with 8:16 left. The Pioneers kept the pressure on in the closing minutes, getting as close as 82-76 in the final minute of play before Jackson, Blanks and Otto combined to go 6-for-6 from the free throw line over the final 40 seconds to seal the victory.
 
Hunter Turner scored a team-leading 25 points for Crowley's Ridge, while Shaquille Culbreath netted 17 points and Cade Niswonger added 13 points for the Pioneers.