The Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ University Bulldogs, ranked No. 12 in the latest NAIA polls, defeated No. 17 McKendree College (Ill.) 75-62 at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's Fred DeLay Gymnasium on Thursday night. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ improved to 12-2 on the season while McKendree falls to 10-5 overall. This was the second meeting of the year between these two schools with McKendree winning the first meeting by 13 points at McKendree.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ jumped out to a lead early in the first half and didn't trail for the remainder of the game. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ led 38-28 at the half, then expanded that lead by three in the second half to return the favor to McKendree with a 13-point win. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ shot 50% from the field including 44% (6-20) from behind the arc. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's Chima Abakwue and Ben Frederick each scored 17 points to lead Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ. Will Harris added 16 points for the Bulldogs. Abakwue, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's career three point leader, made 4-of-9 in the game and passed the 1,500 point mark for his career. For McKendree, Shawn Byrne tallied a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Bearcats.