GAME DAY LINKS --
McKENDREE vs. PRINCIPIA -- Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, 8 p.m.
Harry M. Statham Sports Center -- Lebanon, Ill.

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2016-17 McKENDREE SEASON STATISTICS
2016-17 PRINCIPIA SEASON STATISTICS

(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 11)--The McKendree University men's basketball team will play the first of 15 home games when the Bearcats host Principia College in the 2017-18 season opener at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.

The Bearcats will be in search of their second Great Lakes Valley Conference playoff berth in the last three years as it enters the new campaign. McKendree was 9-17 overall in 2016-17, which included three victories against GLVC foes. The Bearcats have five returning lettermen, including a pair of starters, who will be paired with eight newcomers on this year's roster.

Senior guard Justin Blanks, who played a valuable role as the Bearcats' sixth man last season, is the leading returning scorer at 16.5 points per game. Junior guard Nate Michael averaged 13.7 points in his second season as a starter in 2016-17. Both Blanks and Michael shot better than 81 percent from the free throw line. Sophomore center Nolan Gerling chipped in 11.2 points along with 6.1 rebounds per outing.

Harry Statham begins his 52nd season as the head coach of the McKendree program. Statham is the all-time wins leader in college basketball history at the four-year level -- all divisions -- with 1,110 wins entering the 2017-18 season. Statham is one of just four men's college basketball coaches with at least 1,000 career wins. He is also the all-time leader in games coached at 1,607.

Following Saturday's game, McKendree will have a week off before Robert Morris University-Springfield visits the Statham Center on Nov. 18. TIp-off of the contest between the Bearcats and Eagles will come at 7 p.m.

ABOUT PRINCIPIA COLLEGE
The Panthers went 12-12 last season with an 11-7 mark in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Head coach Todd Zimmerman enters his second season at the head coach at his alma mater. Micah Paulson started all 24 games a season ago for the Panthers and posted 16.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest. He shot just over 86 percent from the foul line and dished out a team-leading 99 assists. Parker Davidson averaged a double-double last year for Principia at 13.8 points and 11.4 rebounds a game.