McKendree boxscore in PDF

Summary 
The Maryville men's basketball team rode a hot-shooting start and posted a 79-66 win at McKendree Thursday night in Lebanon, Ill. Nolan Berry and Robin Thompson both notched double-doubles, while Jimmy Barton scored a season-high 17 points. With the win, the Saints improved to 12-3 on the season, the best start after 15 games in program history.
 
What Happened 
The Saints burst out of a 2-2 tie by exploding for a 14-2 run. Berry hit a jumper and Thompson followed with another in the lane. Barton drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 9-2 edge. After a McKendree score, Barton nailed another triple. Berry scored inside, and Casey Teson scored on a drive from the right wing for a 16-4 lead five minutes into the game.
 
Up 18-8, Forrester Sims sank consecutive layups. After a Bearcat basket, Barton knocked down a triple, and Eugene Jones powered up for a layup and a 27-10 advantage. Berry and Thompson scored back-to-back layups as the Saints took their largest lead at 35-16 with 7:11 left in the half. The Saints blazed the nets at a 63.6 percent clip (21-of-33) in the opening half.
 
The Bearcats scored the first four points of the second half and inched closer after intermission. A Forrester Sims triple pushed the edge to 56-41 but the Bearcats went on a mini 8-2 run to close the gap to single digits. Maryville answered with an 8-0 burst as Thompson tallied six straight points, and Sims drained a jumper from the top of the key for a 66-49 advantage with nine minutes to play. The Bearcats tried to make a late rush but the Saints kept a double-digit lead nearly the rest of the way to pick up the road win.

Statistical Leaders
Points: Nolan Berry – 19
Rebounds: Nolan Berry – 11
3-Pointers: Jimmy Barton – 5
Assists: Jimmy Barton – 5
Blocked Shots: Robin Thompson – 2

Notable 
With a 12-3 start to the season, the Saints surpassed the 11-4 start by the 2012-13 team for best record after 15 games in program history.
The Saints sank 21-of-33 shots (63.6 percent) in the first half.
Nolan Berry tallied his seventh double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Robin Thompson recorded his double-double via 17 points and 10 boards.
Jimmy Barton sank five 3-pointers in the game.

Records
Maryville: 12-3, 4-2 GLVC
McKendree: 10-5, 1-4 GLVC

Up Next
The Saints return to Moloney Arena Monday, Jan. 15, when Quincy visits in the first home GLVC game of 2018 for the Saints. Tip is slated for 7:30 p.m.