(CLARKSVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 17) – The McKendree University men's basketball team dropped its last non-conference exhibition contest, 80-61 to Austin Peay Tuesday night. The Bearcats remain 6-3 overall on the season.

The first ten minutes of the game, competition was steady amongst both teams. Austin Peay got on the board first but McKendree answered right back with a layup from freshman forward Jakobie Robinson (Indianapolis, IN/Warren Central). Back-and-forth play ensued until the Governors were able to pull away and gain a 24 point lead heading into halftime.

The Bearcats played with grit in the second half putting immense pressure on Austin Peay but were never able to recover from the first half point deficit. McKendree even scored more points than the Governors in the second half, 35-30.

Free throws and turnovers proved to be detrimental for the Bearcats in the game. McKendree shot 4-11 from behind the free throw line whereas the Governors' shot 6-8. The Bearcats also had 26 turovers in the game compared to Austi Peay's 15.

McKendree did record a better shooting percentage than the Governors at the field goal rang and behind the three-point line. The Bearcats shot 54.5 percent at the field goal range, Austin Peay only managed a 48.3 percent. At the three-point line, McKendree shot 44.4 percent while the Governors only shot 27.8 percent.

Two Bearcats recorded double-digit points for McKendree; Robinson and senior guard Logan Kohrmann (Bartelso, IL/Breese Central). Robinson led the pack with 12 points and Kohrmann followed closely with 11. Robinson also tallied two rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Junior guard Oliver Stephen (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) and freshman forward Bryson Bultman (Nashville, IL/Nashville) led the team in rebounds, each collecting five.

McKendree will resume Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) in the new calendar year with a game on Jan. 2 against Southwest Baptist University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Lebanon, Ill., in the Harry Statham Sports Center.