LEBANON, Ill. – The five-game win streak by the (RV) men's basketball team would ultimately come to an end as the Bearcats faltered in a tight back-and-forth battle at home against the University of Indianapolis on Sunday, January 4th at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center in Lebanon, Illinois. 

Score: McKendree University 75, University of Indianapolis 82 

Record: Bearcats 10-3, 3-2 GLVC | Greyhounds 6-7, 4-1 GLVC 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

It was a slugfest to begin the game as both sides were struggling to get the ball into the hoop over the intense defensive schemes. Sophomore guard Rini Harris (O'Fallon, Ill.) gave McKendree six of its first eight points to gain a two-point advantage from inside the painted area. 

UIndy would retake the lead for a third time a little over 11 minutes into the contest, but the reliable freshman guard Andrew Moore (Montgomery County, Mo.) would knock down his squad's first three-point shot to regain the edge with the seesaw swings still looming large. With both teams in the bonus, it was a charity stripe shootout for the remainder of the first half, where the two sides combined for 12 in the last five minutes with the Bearcats holding on at 31-26 heading into the break as a last-second tip-in by senior guard Cha'Vez Woods (Louisville, Ky.) was waived off for being a tad late on the attempt. 

Coming into half number two, this time it was Moore who lit the spark for the Bearcats, as he dropped in the first seven points by plowing his body into the lane to earn himself a couple of layups to go up by double digits. Both teams then started trading baskets with the Greyhounds stating to heat themselves up from beyond the arc as they found themselves on the better side of a 16-8 run to come up within two. 

With the pressure on McKendree, Woods would answer with a couple of mid-range shots as redshirt junior guard Justin King (Mascoutah, Ill.) was found open in the far corner for a three-pointer and to extend their lead to seven. However, UIndy utilized a 7-0 spurt to tie the game at 51 apiece. 

In what was a defensive battle to begin the game has turned into an offensive showcase with the Greyhounds not letting up from long range as Moore once again would sink in a huge three to go up by a trio. McKendree would then go almost four minutes without a field goal until senior forward Noah Franklin (Cobden, Ill.) gave the team a huge putback while Moore followed up immensely with an and-one layup to knot the game at 67. 

The free throw circus would again present itself for the next couple of minutes with the defense also making a comeback. With the game tied at 70-all, the Greyhounds would hit their 12th three-pointer of the game to ignite a monumental 10-1 run to steal the win against the Bearcats 82-75. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Harris led the Bearcats with 22 points on 6-for-13 (46.2%) shooting while going 10-for-12 (83.3%) from the line, along with five rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block. 

• Woods and Moore each tabbed 15 points and four boards apiece in the setback with the former collecting an assist and the latter earning a takeaway. 

• Finishing with eight points, Franklin corralled a McKendree personal-high 13 rebounds with five coming on the offensive end. 

• McKendree shot 42.9% from the field, 23.8% from deep, and 81.5% from the line. 

• Despite the loss, McKendree led in points in the paint (36-20) and fast break points (8-5). 

UP NEXT 

McKendree will be back in action on Thursday, January 8th, when they go on a two-game trip in the Show-Me State of Missouri, with the first of which at Truman State University at the Pershing Arena in Kirksville with tip time slated for 7:30 PM CT. 

Fans can tune in live or on-demand on the Bulldogs' GLVC Sports Network with a subscription/download purchase required, as live stats will also be provided. Ticket information will be made public in the coming days. 

Keep up with McKendree University Men's Basketball on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram. #GLVCmbb | #D2mbb 

For more updates and information on Bearcat Athletics, please continue to visit McKBearcats.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.  
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