INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - McKendree University men's basketball suffered a 75-50 setback to the No. 18-ranked University of Indianapolis at Nicoson Hall on Saturday afternoon. Following the Great Lakes Valley Conference game, the Bearcats drop to 8-9 overall and 4-6 in the GLVC while the Greyhounds improve to 16-2 overall and 8-2 in conference play.
Indianapolis started the game with a strong offense, going on a 9-0 run seven minutes into the first half to set the score at 18-5 before the Bearcats would turn up the heat on the offensive end. McKendree chipped away at the deficit with seven points from senior guard
Eric Powell II so that the Greyhounds led only 27-22 going into the halftime break. Both teams were off to a rocky start for scoring as Indianapolis shot 33 percent from the field and 27 percent from three while McKendree shot 34 percent from the field and sank just 1-of-11 threes in the first half.
The Bearcats came within three of the Greyhounds to start the second half, but Indianapolis would respond with four points from two McKendree turnovers to shift the momentum with 15 minutes left in the contest. Indianapolis held the Bearcats at arms' length with a steady 7-10 point lead for 10 minutes before the Greyhounds' offense took off with four minutes remaining. Indianapolis walked away with the win, 75-50.
McKendree's 50 points were the lowest scored for the team yet this season as the Bearcats shot 35 percent from the field and were held to a season-low two three pointers made. The Greyhounds shot 40 percent from the field while knocking down 32 percent of shots beyond the arc.
Only five Bearcats scored in the contest as they were led offensively by junior foward
Milos Vicentic with 18 points, six rebounds, and a team-high three assists, while senior guard
Bryson Bultman netted 16 points and snagged three steals for McKendree. Additionally, junior guard
Carson Parker collected a team-high 10 rebounds.
No. 18-ranked Indianapolis was led by forward Kendrick Tchoua and guard Josiah Tynes with 15 points each.
Next week, the Bearcats will be back on their home floor on Thursday night as they host Quincy in a 7:30 p.m. contest.
