LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University men's basketball (8-8, 4-5 GLVC) grabbed its second straight win and first-ever home victory against Lewis on Thursday night, winning 57-55. The Bearcats held the Flyers under 20-percent from beyond the arc while being led by senior guards Bryson Bultman and Eric Powell II on the offensive end. McKendree hits the road for its next matchup, taking on UIndy on Saturday, January 21. 

Bultman led the Bearcats with 15 points on 6-11 from the field and a trio of three-pointers while dishing-out a game-high six assists and grabbing four boards. Powell narrowly trailed Bultman with 13 points paired with three rebounds and one assist. Junior guard Carson Parker tallied nine points in the victory while collecting a game-high eight rebounds. Tied with Parker for the rebound game-high was sophomore guard Caleb Zurliene, who also finished with seven points in the contest. McKendree thrived in points off turnovers, putting up 16 on the 17 total turnovers by the Flyers. 

McKendree built up a strong lead in the latter portion of the first half, which included a 9-0 run with a trio of triples. The Bearcats managed to stockpile points at the six-minute mark following a triple by junior forward Milos Vicentic, when they found themselves up by nine points. McKendree led by 15 points with just 23 seconds remaining in the first half, 30-15, but the Flyers layed a ball up and in to conclude the half, cutting the lead to just 13 points. 

In the second half, McKendree picked up where they left off in the first, stacking baskets continuously to build its lead further. The Bearcats got up by 19 at the peak after Powell connected on a pair of free throws. McKendree held a double-digit advantage until the 4:22 mark as Lewis scrapped and clawed back into the game, holding the Bearcats scoreless for nearly five and a half minutes. 

Lewis cut the contest to a one-point game with 26 seconds remaining off a layup. Parker was fouled following the Flyers score, giving the Bearcats a chance to go up by three points. The junior Parker connected on the first free throw but msised the second, leaving the door open for Lewis. The Flyers missed a shot attempt but gained a secondary opportunity following a save attempt by the Bearcats on the rebound. Lewis' final shot attmept rimmed out to give McKendree its first win at home against the Flyers since the schools began competing nearly to the date, 10 years prior (01/17/2013). 

LEADERS
Bryson Bultman | 15 Points / 6-11 FGs / 3-5 3PT / 6 assists / 4 rebounds
Eric Powell II | 13 Points / 5-7 FTs / 3 rebounds
Carson Parker | 9 Points / 3-5 FGs / 3-5 FTs / 8 rebounds

UP NEXT
McKendree men's basketball hits the road in its next GLVC test against UIndy on Saturday, January 21 in Indianapolis at Nicoson Hall. 

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