(ST. LOUIS, Mo., Feb. 8) – The McKendree University men's basketball team fell to Maryville its final road contest of a four-game road stretch in a close matchup, 62-61 Saturday afternoon in St. Louis, Mo. The Bearcats are now 11-11 overall on the season and 6-8 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

Junior guard Oliver Stephen (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) led the Bearcats offense and recorded a new career best 25 points in the game. Stephen accounted for all of McKendree's three point baskets but one, scoring 21 of his 25 points from behind the three point line. He also collected two rebounds, one assists, and two steals in the game.

McKendree sprang to a quick ten point lead early in the first half 13-3 after going on a 13 point unanswered run following Maryville's first basket of the game. The Bearcats maintained the lead for the next ten minutes until the Saints tied it up 23-23 with 5:20 left to play. The lead changed four times in the remaining five minutes ending the half with a draw, 28-28>

The game remained close in the second half with each team taking a six point lead at the highest deficit. In the second half alone, the game was tied on four different occasions, the last time being with 54 seconds remaining. Maryville was able to pull away with a three point basket with 13 seconds left to play 62-59. The Bearcats answered back with a layup just six seconds later but were never able to get the ball back, ultimately falling to the Saints 62-61.

Senior guard Logan Kohrmann (Bartelso, IL/Breese Central) was the only other Bearcat besides Stephen to record double-digit points with 16 total in the game. Sophomore forward Aleksa Popovic (Belgrade, Serbia/BC Partizan Belgrade) was also a strong offensive player for McKendree, tallying nine points. Popovic also managed five rebounds and two steals in the game. Senior forward Nate Bethel (Nassau, Bahamas/St. Louis Christian Academy) led the team in rebounds with eight, followed closely by freshman forward Jakobie Robinson (Indianapolis, IN/Warren Central) who collected six rebounds.

Second chance opportunities were limited for both teams in the game with McKendree and Maryville each only earning three points off of second chances. The Saints bench did account for almost half of their points (30) while the Bearcats' bench only earned six points.

The Bearcats will return home to take on Missouri-St. Louis on Thursday, Feb. 13 for a 5:30 p.m. game.