(INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Feb. 1)—The McKendree University men's basketball team trimmed an 18-point second-half deficit down to just two points in the closing minutes before the University of Indianapolis hung on for an 80-75 victory Thursday evening.
 
The visiting Bearcats trailed 56-38 with just over 16 minutes to play before mounting a comeback against the Greyhounds. McKendree slowly chipped away the deficit and eventually pulled within 73-71 on a pair of free throws by senior guard Justin Blanks with 54 seconds remaining. However, UIndy knocked down a crucial three-pointer on its next possession and then hit four free throws in the final 16 seconds to seal the win.
 
McKendree is now 11-10 on the year and 2-9 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Bearcats will remain on the road to visit Lewis University Saturday afternoon in Romeoville, Ill. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. at Neil Carey Arena.
 
Blanks led all scorers with 25 points at Indianapolis. Sophomore center Nolan Gerling added 17 points, while junior guard Nate Michael helped out with 16 points. Junior guard Nate Bethel came off the bench to score 12 points as junior forward Malcolm Mabry hit double digits on the boards for the third consecutive contest with a game-high 10 rebounds for the Bearcats.
 
Indianapolis (13-7, 7-5 GLVC) held a 39-36 lead at the intermission, then opened the second half on a 17-2 run to stretch its advantage to 56-38 with 16:08 remaining. Following a media timeout, McKendree embarked on its comeback by scoring the next 10 points to trim the deficit to 56-48 at the 11:47 mark. Bethel scored the first three baskets during the run for the Bearcats before Gerling connected on back-to-back lay-ups to get McKendree back within single digits.
 
After the Greyhounds pushed their lead back to 15 points midway through the final period, McKendree once again made a run. The Bearcats outscored UIndy 12-2 over a three-minute span to help McKendree rally within 67-62 with 7:06 to play. Michael scored seven straight points for the Bearcats during the stretch. McKendree eventually whittled the Greyhounds' advantage to 71-69 thanks to a three-pointer from Blanks with 2:29 left. Indianapolis scored on its next possession to build the lead back to four points before Blanks' two free throws at the 54-second mark brought McKendree within two points again at 73-71.
 
Tate Hall then sank a three-pointer on the ensuing possession to give UIndy a five-point cushion at 76-71 with just 29 seconds to play. Blanks countered with a lay-up at the Bearcats' end of the floor to make it a three-point game. However, McKendree was forced to foul the Greyhounds in the closing seconds, and Uindy responded by going 4-for-4 in the last 16 seconds to preserve the victory.
 
McKendree opened Thursday's game with a 14-4 run over the first 5:13 of play before Indianapolis battled back with a 10-2 run of its own to get within 16-14. The Bearcats maintained their lead until the later stages of the first half, when the Greyhounds surged in front for the first time at 27-26 on a lay-up by Ajay Lawson with 5:27 left in the period.
 
Hall and Lawson each scored 17 points to pace UIndy. Lawson also had game-high totals of nine assists and four steals. Eric Davidson added 14 points and C.J. Hardaway, Jr., chipped in with 13 points for the Greyhounds.