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Athletics News Release

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ men drop heartbreaker in battle of ranked teams

JACKSON, Tenn. - 11/29/2008 - In an attempt to sweep the season series with their second top-10 team of the year, No. 12 Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ University fell to No. 9 McKendree (Ill.) University 67-66. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ won the earlier meeting at McKendree 83-80 in overtime. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ had already defeated No. 2 Robert Morris (Ill.) College twice on the season to put their record versus top-10 teams to 3-1 on the season.

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ posted their lowest shooting numbers on the season with just 66 total points, including a 20-point first half in the loss.

McKendree opened the game on a 9-0 run before Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ scored their first points of the game on a basket from Roland Banhoro at the 14:35 mark. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ trailed by as many as 14 points, before cutting the halftime deficit down to nine points, 29-20.

In the second half, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ started to chip away. With 11:50 left in the game, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ took their first lead at 44-43. After swapping baskets for several possessions, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ was able to stretch their lead to seven points on two occasions. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ led 61-54 with 3:57 left in the game. However, a 9-1 run by McKendree gave the Bearcats a one point lead at 63-62 with 1:43 left.

The teams again swapped baskets on the next two possessions, when McKendree found themselves leading 65-64 with 1:06 left. Antoine Joseph then sank two free throws for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ after being fouled on a lay up attempt to give Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ a 66-65 lead with 19 seconds left. However, McKendree's leading scorer and free throw shooter Eric Palm drove the lane and drew a foul with six seconds left. Palm, an 85-percent free throw shooter, sank both foul shots to give his team the lead. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's Tacuma Alexander's took the ball the length of the court, but had his running lay up blocked by McKendree to seal the win for the Bearcats.

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ was led by Matt Neaville with 19 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Brian Lake added a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Greg Truvillion added 11 points. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ shot just 34-percent from the field, 27-percent (4-15) from behind the arc, and 64-percent (16-25) from the free throw line.

McKendree was led by Eric Palm with 21 points and Eric Hobbie with 20 points. McKendree shot 43-percent from the field, 28-percent (5-18) from behind the arc, and 88-percent (14-16) from the free throw line.

Up next for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ will be a conference game on Thursday, December 4 at 8:00 pm when Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ will host Bethel (Tenn.) College.

#UNION#


Steven Aldridge
Phone: (731) 661-5027

Fax: (731) 661-5182

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