(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 18)—The McKendree University men's basketball team dropped a 69-67 decision Thursday evening at home to Quincy University.
 
For the second time in less than a week, the Bearcats found themselves on the wrong end of a last-second, game-winning shot as the Hawks' Marcus Hinton scored on a lay-up with 1.7 seconds remaining to lift the visitors to the win. A potential game-tying shot attempt by McKendree bounced off the rim as time expired in a game that featured six ties and 15 lead changes.
 
McKendree moves to 11-7 overall and 2-6 in Great Lakes Valley Conference action. The Bearcats have an open date in league play before returning to action next Thursday (Jan. 25) at home against William Jewell. Tip-off between the Bearcats and Cardinals is set for 7:30 p.m. inside the Harry M. Statham Sports Center.
 
Junior guard Nate Michael and sophomore center Nolan Gerling each eclipsed the 20-point mark for McKendree. Michael registered a game-high 23 points, including 18 in the second half. Gerling chipped in with 21 points and a game-best nine rebounds. Michael and Gerling combined to score all but seven of the Bearcats' 36 points in the final 20 minutes of play. Junior guard Giovanni dished out six assists to lead all players in Thursday's contest.
 
With 5:45 remaining in the game, Michael sank four straight free throws to give McKendree a 61-58 lead. The Bearcats maintained their advantage until a pair of free throws from Hinton with 1:27 left knotted the score at 67-67. Each team failed to score on its next possession, and a three-pointer from Offard was just off the mark with 21 seconds on the clock, giving possession to the Hawks. Following a timeout, Quincy worked the ball to Hinton, who drove the lane and scored with 1.7 seconds remaining to give the Hawks a two-point advantage.
 
McKendree was able to fire off a quick pass to mid-court and call a timeout just three-tenths of a second later. An entry pass to the wing was tipped out of bounds by Quincy, leaving just 0.2 seconds on the clock. The Bearcats then lobbed the ball toward the basket, where Blanks was able to outleap the Hawks' defenders and tip the ball. The shot attempt bounced on the rim before falling out, allowing Quincy to escape with the victory.
 
In the first half, McKendree scored the first 11 points of the game over the first 3:40 of play. The Bearcats eventually hit their first six shots from the floor in building a 13-2 advantage. A three-pointer from Michael with 12:57 left in the period stretched the McKendree lead to 19-6. At that point, Quincy went on a 15-2 to tie the game for the first time at 21-21 with 6:39 left until the intermission. The Hawks took the lead moments later and held the advantage until a lay-up from Offard inside the final minute of the period pushed the Bearcats back in front at 31-30. Quincy then scored on its final possession of the half to take a 32-31 lead into the locker room.
 
Ryan Briscoe and Demetrius Houston each scored 14 points to lead the way for Quincy (5-12, 1-7 GLVC). Hinton finished with 11 points and a team-leading seven rebounds for the Hawks.
 
McKendree and Quincy will face off once more this season on Feb. 24 at Pepsi Arena in Quincy, Ill. That game will mark the regular-season finale for both teams.