(SPRINGFIELD, MO – Jan. 6) – The McKendree University men's basketball team completed their second of three scheduled contests this week, going against Drury Wednesday night. The Bearcats would send the game into overtime, but fall 88-92.

An off-balance three-pointer high off the back iron from Oliver Stephen (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) would put his team ahead by a basket to set them apart from the slow-moving start. The Bearcat offense was not always cohesive, but draining three-pointers sparked an 8-0 run, to keep their lead. Back-to-back three-pointers from Brendon Gooch (Belleville, IL/Althoff ) would put McKendree back even with Drury with under three minutes left in the first half. Stephen would hit his sixth three-pointer of the night to move his team in front 57-55, with 10:46 left in the game. Gooch would drive under the basket and tie the game at 78 with 4.6 second left in the game and send the game into overtime.

McKendree had three players finish with 20 points or more. Brendon Gooch (Belleville, IL/Althoff ) recorded a double-double, with a season-high both 22 points and 15 rebounds. Gooch went 57.1 percent from the floor and 54.5 percent from beyond the arc. Oliver Stephen (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) hit a season-high 21 points and shot 63.6 percent from three-point range. Bryson Bultman (Nashville, IL/Nashville) matched his season-high 22 points, going 70.0 percent from the floor and 5-for-7 in free throws.

Nearly three minutes passed before Drury would score their first points of the game. The Panthers would develop good ball movement and double-teaming the Bearcats. A catch-and-shoot from an inbound would put the Panthers ahead by one with 6:08 left in the first half. Drury would take a four-point lead into halftime, 37-33. With 10 minutes left in the game, Drury would battle back to tie the game at 57. Drury would have the Bearcats well-covered in the lane and battle back-and-forth for the lead. With 1:06 left in the game, a clutch play from Drury would drill a three-pointer to break the tie and put them ahead 78-75. Drury would hit a crucial three-pointer with 16.9 seconds left in overtime and take a 90-88 lead.

Four Drury players finished in double-figures, led by Conley Garrison who tallied 34 of the Panthers' points.  Jason Montgomery scored 16 points, while Victor Nwagbarchoa added 13 points.

Chris Foster and his team will be back in the Harry M. Statham Sports Center for their next schedule contest. McKendree will face Southern Indiana on Saturday, Jan. 9, at 3:00 PM.