LEBANON, Ill. – Back in the comfort of their own gym for the first time in 22 days, the Bearcats (10-7, 4-6 GLVC) hosted the Maryville University Saints (8-8, 4-6 GLVC) on Thursday, January 25th. The Saints would come away with the 69-65 win.
Down 21 with 16 minutes remaining in the contest, McKendree attempted to mount a comeback. They cut it to a 12-point game at the under eight media timeout and eventually to a single possession with fifty-two seconds left.
There was some McKendree basketball history in the game as junior forward Milos Vicentic reached the 1,000 career points mark to make him the 53rd member of the club. The Belgrade, Serbia native now sits at 1,008 points in just 64 career games.
Caleb Zurliene led the way with 18 points on 7-of-11 from the field. The senior from Aviston, Illinois pulled down six rebounds and blocked three shots. Carson Parker posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds on 7-of-9 shooting. Vicentic collected 16 points as well with six rebounds. Joey Niesman also entered double-figures with 10 points.
Hayden Meakes rounded out the Bearcat scoring with five points off of the bench.
McKendree shot an even 50% from the field at 25-of-50. They were 7-of-21 from beyond the arc and 8-of-9 from the charity stripe.
The Bearcats will remain home on Saturday, January 27th as they host the Missouri S&T Miners with tip off scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
