(KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Feb.4) – The McKendree University men's basketball team had their second contest of the season with Rockhurst Thursday night, this time on the road. The Bearcats break their three-game losing streak and improving to 5-5 (5-5 in GLVC), following their 69-65 victory over Rockhurst.

Aleksa Popovic (Belgrade, Serbia/BC Partizan Belgrade) would open up the game for the Bearcats after hitting a jumper and sparking a 5-2 run. McKendree was good about keeping Rockhurst at a comfortable distance and setting the tone for the game. The Bearcats would build their lead to 13 with 5:49 left in the first half. Rockhurst would push back but, McKendree would lead 35-26 heading into halftime. Out of halftime, Rockhurst would hit a three-pointer, but Oliver Stephen (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) would answer right back from the opposite side of the court to maintain his team's lead. The game would be back even at 57 with 5:03 left in the game. The Bearcats went 43.4 percent from the floor, 35.5 percent form the arc and forced 13 turnovers, to take the 69-65 win.

Oliver Stephen (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) recorded 21 points in the victory, going 6-for15 from the floor, 50.0 percent form the arc, and 3-for-4 in free throw attempts. Brendon Gooch (Belleville, IL/Althoff ) had an explosive night with 17 points, going 66.7 from both the floor and three-point range, and 83.3 percent from the line. Aleksa Popovic (Belgrade, Serbia/BC Partizan Belgrade) recorded 10 points, going 66.7 percent from the paint and 2-for-2 from the line.

Thomas Faber had 18 points on the night, going 3-for-3 from the line, 5-for-8 from the floor, and 71.4 percent from the arc. He was followed by Curtis Lewis who added 16 points. Lewis was 50.0 percent from both the paint and beyond the arc, while 4-for-5 in free throws.

Chris Foster and his team will be back on the road for their next event. McKendree will travel to Bolivar, Mo., to face Southwest Baptist University on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 3:00 PM in the Meyer Sports Center.