(LEBANON, Ill., Dec. 13)—The McKendree University men's basketball team won for the third time in its last four games thanks to a 99-79 victory Wednesday night at home against Salem University.
 
Senior guard Justin Blanks and junior guard Nate Michael each scored 24 points to lead the way for the Bearcats, who shot 58.5 percent for the contest (38-of-65) en route to the non-conference victory. McKendree improves to 6-2 on the season and will jump right back into action Thursday evening by hosting Robert Morris University-Springfield at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
 
Michael netted 18 of his 24 points in the first half, while Blanks connected for 20 of his 24 points in the final 20 minutes of play to head a list of four McKendree players who scored in double figures. Junior guard Malcolm Mabry chipped in with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals as junior guard Giovanni Offard helped out with 12 points and a team-leading five assists for the Bearcats.
 
In the first half, the teams traded baskets in the opening minutes before Michael caught fire. He drilled three consecutive three-pointers to help McKendree open a 15-6 advantage with 15:14 left in the first half. Following a timeout, Salem countered by scoring the next seven points to trim its deficit to 15-13. A pair of lay-ups from Mabry sparked a 6-0 run for the Bearcats, who regained a 21-13 advantage midway through the period.
 
McKendree was able to extend its lead to as many as 14 points in the closing minutes of the first half before taking a 47-34 lead into the locker room. The Bearcats hit 60 percent of their field goal tries (21-of-35) over the first 20 minutes of play. Mabry and Offard combined to make all seven of their shots from the floor during the half.
 
Salem (4-6) scored six of the first eight points at the outset of the second half to pull within 49-40 with 17:31 remaining. The Tigers eventually slashed their deficit to eight points just moments later, but that was as close as they would come the rest of the evening. Midway through the period, McKendree ripped off 10 straight points to stretch its lead to 69-50 at the 11:18 mark. The Bearcats' largest lead of the contest came with just 2:06 on the clock, when Blanks slammed home a breakaway dunk for a 97-75 advantage.
 
Malik Toppin paced Salem with 22 points and eight rebounds, while Reggie Oliver contributed 21 points and a game-high five steals.
 
Wednesday's victory was the fourth in a row for McKendree over Salem. Last season, the Bearcats raced to a 119-92 triumph over the Tigers, setting an NCAA Division II-era scoring record for McKendree.