(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 18)—The McKendree University men's basketball team shot 54.3 percent in each half in cruising to a 102-62 victory Saturday night at home against Robert Morris University-Springfield.
 
Six different Bearcats reached double figures in the scoring column as McKendree hit the 100-point mark since last December. The Bearcats improve to 2-0 overall and will take to the road for the first time in the 2017-18 season on Wednesday for a non-conference trip to Trevecca Nazarene University. Game time is set for 4 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.
 
Senior guard Justin Blanks scored 16 of his game-high 21 points in the first half to lead the scoring surge for McKendree. Sophomore center Nolan Gerling and freshman guard Jacob Donaldson each contributed 16 points, while junior guard Nate Michael pumped in 14 points. Junior guard Malcolm Mabry finished just shy of a double-double with 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds, and sophomore guard Troy Pedtke dropped in a career-best 10 points for the Bearcats.
 
As a team, McKendree handed out 29 assists, including eight each from senior guard Gianni Otto and junior guard Giovanni Offard. The Bearcats also held a 47-28 edge in rebounding.
 
Early in the first half, McKendree scored nine consecutive points to take the lead for good, 12-4, with 16:11 left in the period. After a three-pointer from Robert Morris-Springfield, the Bearcats ripped off 13 straight points to extend its margin to 25-7 at the 11:45 mark of the half. McKendree continued to add to its lead, building a 26-point cushion on two different occasions before taking a 53-28 lead into the locker room.
 
In the second half, McKendree slowing increased the margin, taking its largest lead of the night when freshman guard Carrington Bass hit a free throw with 39 seconds remaining to put the Bearcats in front at 102-60. McKendree's 102 points on Saturday marked the first time the Bearcats topped the century mark since defeating Salem International University 119-92 back on Dec. 14, 2016.
 
Leo Bowen led Robert Morris-Springfield (2-4) with 18 points, while Jacarey Drake notched 10 points in the effort. Treveon Bechnel registered eight points and a team-high six rebounds for the Eagles.
 
McKendree and Robert Morris-Springfield will meet one more time this season on Dec. 14 at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center.