LEBANON, IL – Five double-digit scoring performances from Salem International University wouldn't be enough to slow the McKendree University offense as the Bearcats scored 73 points in the first-half en route to a 119-92 victory. Freshman Jarius Farrow scored a team-high 17 points in the loss for the Tigers on Wednesday night (Dec. 14) in NCAA men's basketball action.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final: McKendree University 119, Salem Int'l 92
Records: McKendree (5-4), Salem Int'l (1-9)
Location: Statham Center | Lebanon, Illinois

HOW IT HAPPENED:

•  First Half
  • Salem would score the opening three points of the contest and lead for the first 1:27 of the game.
  • Farrow would drop a team-high 13 points for SIU, including a 7-for-7 effort at the free throw line.
  • Junior Jordan Robinson scored nine points for the Tigers and connected on a pair of three's.
  • Nate Michael had the scoring-touch in the opening-stanza for McKendree, scoring a game high 22 points.
  • Michael Jackson would also add 13 points for the Bearcats as McKendree held a 73-42 advantage at the break.
  • SIU shot 48.3 percent from the floor (14-for-29) and 10-of-13 at the charity stripe.
  • SIU would turn the ball over nine times
  • The Bearcats shot a scorching 71.4 percent from the floor (25-for-35) and hit 10-of-18 three's. 
  • McKendree recorded 15 assists, 22 rebounds, and nine turnovers in the first-half.
•  Second Half
  • The Tigers would have three players cross into double digits in the second-half.
  • Sophomore Drew Pitzer played a majority of the second-half for the Tigers, while junior Hollis Alexander played a season high 25-minutes with his second-half performance.
  • Justin Blanks paced the McKendree offense in the second-half, scoring 16 points and adding four assists.
  • Darin Winkleman added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Bearcats.
  • McKendree out-rebounded the Tigers 25-17 in the second-half.
  • SIU would outscore the Bearcats 50-46 in the second-half.
  • SIU went 20-for-43 from the floor and 6-for-17 from downtown. The Tigers also registered nine assists, nine steals, and just three turnovers.
  • McKendree went 16-of-27 from the floor and 4-of-9 from three-point range. The Bearcats turned the ball over 13 times in the half and recorded only one steal.

 STATS FROM THE GAME:

• Farrow finished the game 5-of-11 from the floor and 7-of-8 from the charity stripe. Robinson finished 7-of-11 and 2-of-5 from three-point range and dished-out three assists.
• Tigers senior Victor Blakey went 5-of-10 from the floor and scored 14 points.
• Michael finished with a game-high 27 points and hit six threes for McKendree, while Blanks recorded 22 points and went 6-for-6 at the free throw line.
• Nolan Gerling recorded a double-double for the Bearcats with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
• McKendree out-scored the Tigers 50-42 inside of the paint and recorded 19 second-chance points.
• SIU finished the game 34-of-72 from the floor and 10-28 from three-point range.
• The Bearcats went 41-of-62 from the floor and 14-of-27 from three-point range. McKendree finished 23-of-32 at the charity stripe and had the advantage in rebounds (47-23).

UP NEXT:

The Tigers will head to Quincy, Illinois to participate in the Quincy University Subway Holiday Classic. SIU will face Quincy at 3:15 PM (Central Time) on Saturday, December 17 and Lewis University the following day at 1 PM (Central Time). Live stats for both games will be available at www.siutigerpride.com.