(QUINCY, Ill., Dec. 15)--The McKendree University men's basketball team dropped a 94-65 decision to Grand Valley State University Saturday afternoon in the first game of the Quincy/Subway Holiday Classic in Quincy, Ill.
 
Junior guard Alijah Thomas (Des Moines, IA/Hoover) scored all of his 19 points in the first half to lead the Bearcats. Junior guard Logan Kohrmann (Bartelso, IL/Breese Central) chipped in with 13 points and three assists while senior guard Nate Michael (St. Joseph, IL/St. Joseph-Ogden) registered 10 of his 12 points in the second half for McKendree. Michael also added four rebounds and a game-high four steals against the Lakers.
 
McKendree, now 4-5 on the season, will look to gain a weekend split at the Quincy Holiday Classic when it faces off against Lincoln University (Mo.) Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Grand Valley State (8-2) shot 64.5 percent in the first half, hitting 20-of-31 shots from the field in building a 48-32 lead at the intermission. McKendree held the early lead at 6-5 as Kohrmann and Thomas hit consecutive three-pointers over the first 90 seconds of play. The Lakers moved in front moments later before Kohrmann scored on a lay-up at the 17:03 mark to bring the Bearcats within 9-8. Grand Valley State responded with an 8-2 run to extend its lead to 17-10 with 14:48 left in the period.
 
After the Lakers pushed the margin to 13 points midway through the first half, McKendree battled back. A three-pointer from Thomas highlighted a 6-0 spurt that brought the Bearcats within 28-21. Grand Valley State held McKendree at bay for the rest of the period and closed on a 10-2 run to head into the locker room with its 16-point advantage.
 
In the second half, Grand Valley State slowly added to its lead, shooting 53.1 percent for the period to pull away for the victory. The Lakers shot 58.7 percent for the contest (37-of-63), including a 12-of-20 effort from three-point range.
 
Ben Lubitz came off the bench to lead Grand Valley State with 23 points, while Jake Van Tubbergen notched a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. The Lakers collected their fifth win in their last six games with Saturday's triumph.