LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University men's basketball resumes Great Lakes Valley Conference play this week with two regular season match-ups. The Bearcats play Quincy University on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center before traveling to the University of Illinois-Springfield on Saturday for a 3 p.m. game.
The Bearcats hold an 8-9 overall record and a 4-6 mark in the GLVC as McKendree took the win over Lewis last Thursday before falling on Saturday to No. 18 Indianapolis.
ABOUT THE BEARCATS
Through its 17 games, McKendree has shot 48 percent from the field (3rd in GLVC), 75.3 from the free throw line (4th in GLVC), and 36.8 percent from the free throw line (4th in GLVC). Additionally, the Bearcats are third in three-pointers made with 165 total on the season, led by senior guard Eric Powell II netting 49 of the 165.
Defensively, the Bearcats rank first in blocked shots with 3.82 per game and in defensive rebounding collecting 26.88 per game. Sophomore forward Caleb Zurliene remains in the top spot in the GLVC and ranks 14th nationally, averaging 2.12 blocks.
With the second-highest GLVC scoring average, senior guard Bryson Bultman leads the Bearcats at 16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.41 assists per game. Bultman is 16th nationally with his assist average.
In addition to Bultman, junior forward Milos Vicentic averages 16.4 points per game, sealing the No. 4 spot in scoring for the GLVC. Vicentic has tabbed a 55.9 shooting percentage from the field to lead McKendree. Eric Powell II is the third Bearcat to average double-digits, netting 13.1 points per game.
ABOUT THE HAWKS
Quincy heads into Thursday's game with an 11-8 overall record in addition to a 7-4 record in conference play as the Hawks fell to UMSL and Missouri S&T in last week's contests. In the previous meeting between McKendree and Quincy on Feb. 28, 2022, the Bearcats won 77-40 over the Hawks.
The Hawks average 74.4 points per game while holding the highest average of offensive rebounds (11.58 per game) in the GLVC. Defensively, Quincy holds opponents to an average of 71.7 points in addition to snagging 7.68 steals and 3.11 blocked shots per game.
Leading the Hawks offensively is senior forward Malik Hardmon averaging 14.7 points. In Quincy's last six games, Hardmon has scored in double digits including four games of 20 or more points. With his 14.7 average, Hardmon ranks 12th in conference scoring.
In addition to Hardmon, junior forward Paul Zilinskas tallies 12.1 points while junior guard Zion Richardson nets 11.6 points per game. Richardson leads the Hawks on the boards, averaging 6.1 rebounds.
ABOUT THE PRAIRIE STARS
Illinois-Springfield will enter Saturday's game after a GLVC contest on Thursday night against Indianapolis. In the last game between McKendree and Illinois-Springfield, the Bearcats posted a 77-69 victory over the Prairie Stars.
Offensively, the Prairie Stars score 76.4 points per game, ranking first in three-pointers made (188) and third in assists (15.33). Illinois-Springfield has shot 46.3 percent from the field, 35.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 64.9 percent from the charity stripe.
On the defensive end, Illinois-Springfield holds opponents to an average of 67.0 points while sealing the top conference spot in rebounding (37.7 per game), sitting just behind McKendree in blocked shots (3.78 per game), and grabbing a fourth-highest 7.67 steals per game.
The lone Prairie Star averaging double figures is sophomore forward Jack Weber at 13.5 points per game. Weber also leads UIS in rebounding, tabbing a fifth-highest conference average of 6.7 rebounds. Weber has netted 114 of his 190 shots, ranking second in the GLVC at 60.0 percent from the field.
UP NEXT
McKendree will host both conference games next week, facing William Jewell on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. and Truman State on Saturday at 3 p.m.
