(SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Jan. 21) – The McKendree University men's basketball team had their first of two games this week, taking on the Prairie Stars of University of Illinois-Springfield. The Bearcats fell to the Prairie Stars, 53-76.

McKendree would start the scoring in their first contest since early January, from a jumper by Bryson Bultman (Nashville, IL/Nashville). A jumper from CaRondis Harris-Anderson (Waterloo, IA/West) would tie the game up at 14 with nine and a half minutes left in the half. The Bearcats would take the lead from a three-pointer from Alijah Thomas (Des Moines, IA/Hoover) in the next possession, and build up to as much as six. Bultman was fouled hard at half court mark to attempt a buzzer-beater, and send his team into halftime ahead by one, 27-26. McKendree saw their lead quickly dissipate in the second half, shooting 34.8 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from beyond the arc.

McKendree had two players finish in double figures. Bryson Bultman (Nashville, IL/Nashville) led the way with 15 points and nine rebounds for the Bearcats. He was followed by Alijah Thomas (Des Moines, IA/Hoover) who scored 14 points. Both men shot 50.0 percent from field goal range, and Bultman was also 3-for-3 in free throws.

University of Illinois Springfield were 4-of-11 in the first eight minutes of the game to hold a two-point advantage over McKendree. After McKendree's tie-up, the offense of Springfield struggled to produce, and being down by as many as six. At the three-minute mark, the Prairie Stars would make it a one-point game, capitalizing on the Bearcats' mistakes. Springfield would make the first basket of the second half and take back the lead followed by an 8-0 run. Back -to-back three pointers in the final minute of the game would out the Prairie Strs at a 23-point lead, and take the game.

Springfield had four players finish in double-figures. They were led by Keymonta Johnson who tallied 21 points and 10 rebounds. Chase Robinson scored 16 points, while Trey Marble scored 13 points and six rebounds. Their final double-figure player was Jack Weber who had 12 points and nine rebounds.

Chris Foster and his team will stay on the road for their next scheduled event. McKendree will head to Quincy on Saturday, Jan. 23 and are scheduled to tip off at 3:00 PM in the Pepsi Arena.