LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University men's basketball (13-12, 9-9 GLVC) recovered with a strong home finale victory on Saturday afternoon, defeating Drury, 79-64, at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center. The Bearcats sit 10th in the Great Lakes Valley Conference PRS following the weekend with 3.14 points. McKendree closes out the regular season at Maryville (8th in GLVC) and UMSL (6th in GLVC) on February 23 and 25.
The Bearcats had three double-figure scorers in the home finale as senior guard
Eric Powell II led with 20 points while senior guard
Bryson Bultman totaled 16 and junior forward
Milos Vicentic scored 15. Powell went 50/50/100 in the game, hitting a trio of three-pointers and going a perfect 5-5 from the line. Bultman also shot 50-percent from the field and hit a trio of three-pointers while dishing out nine assists with seven boards. Vicenticwent 7-10 from the field and nailed a three-pointer while grabbing three boards.
In the first half, McKendree and Drury played a back-and-forth game until the under-12 media timeout, when the Bearcats went on an 11-0 run to take a 22-12 lead at the 9:10 mark. Bultman kicked off the run with a close-range jumper which was then followed with a bucket by sophomore forward
Hayden Meakes. Powell splashed a three pointer and Bultman dropped in a layup to make it a double-digit lead. McKendree maintained its lead at the intermission with a six-point advantage.
McKendree rebuilt its lead in the second half, pushing it to 10 at the 17:25 mark with a fastbreak dunk by Powell. The Bearcats added to the lead, getting up to a 20-point advantage, 75-55, following a three-point bucket by Vicentic with just under four minutes remaining. McKendree held out with a 15-point win as senior guard Alelsandar Davitkov drove through the lane for a final basket on the night.
The Bearcats finished with eight scorers in total and a combined 51 from Powell, Bultman, and Vicentic. It was Powell's 16th double-figure outing while being Vicentic's 20th and Bultman's 21st.
The Bearcats also celebrated senior day prior to the game, honoring forward
Luke Hensler (6p/7r), guard
Eric Powell II (20p/4r/3s), and manager
Ricardo Lobo.
LEADERS
Eric Powell II | 20 points / 6-12 FGs / 3-6 3PTs / 5-5 FTs / 4 rebounds / 3 steals
Bryson Bultman | 16 points / 5-10 FGs / 3-6 3PTs / 9 assists / 7 rebounds
Milos Vicentic | 15 points (11 minutes) / 7-10 FGs / 3 rebounds
UP NEXT
McKendree men's basketball will look to solidify its postseason tournament position this week as it takes on Maryville in Chesterfield on February 23 and UMSL on February 25.
