(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 17)—The McKendree University men's basketball team came up on the short end of a 72-60 score Thursday night at home against Drury University.
 
The Bearcats led by as many as eight points in the first half, but the visiting Panthers connected on 58.1 percent of their shots in the second half to rally for the win. McKendree is now 7-8 overall and 3-3 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Bearcats will look to rebound Saturday afternoon when they host Missouri S&T to wrap up a four-game home stand at the Statham Center. The teams are scheduled to meet at 3 p.m.
 
Four different McKendree players scored in double figures against Drury. Seniors guard Nate Michael (St. Joseph, IL/St. Joseph-Ogden) and Giovanni Offard (Freeport, IL/Freeport), along with junior center Nolan Gerling (Germantown, IL/Mater Dei), each dropped in 13 points in the contest. Junior guard Logan Kohrmann (Bartelso, IL/Breese Central) netted 11 points as well. Gerling hauled in a game-high eight rebounds for the Bearcats as sophomore forward Jacob Donaldson (Effingham, IL/Effingham) came off the bench to lead all players with three steals.
 
McKendree ripped off the first eight points of Thursday's game, spanning the first 2:32 of play. Drury responded by reeling off the next eight points to tie the score at 8-8. The Bearcats battled their way back into the lead and used a three-pointer from Michael with 1:53 remaining until halftime to regain a 31-24 advantage. The Panthers hit a three-pointer on their final possession of the half to trim the McKendree advantage to 31-27 heading into the locker room. The Bearcats turned in a solid defensive effort over the first 20 minutes of play, limiting Drury to just 35.5 percent shooting from the floor.
 
In the opening moments of the second half, McKendree maintained its lead before Drury was able to turn the tide. A 10-0 run pushed the Panthers in front to stay at 41-37 with 14:43 remaining. The teams traded scores over the next few possessions when Drury scored eight of 10 points to stretch its lead to double digits for the first time in the contest, 53-43, with just over 11 minutes to play. The Panthers were able to slowly increase their lead down the stretch to pull away for the triumph.
 
Allen Billinger came off the bench to connect on a game-high 19 points to lead Drury (9-8, 3-3 GLVC). Conley Garrison added 11 points, while Douglas Moore scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds in a reserve role for the Panthers.