Lebanon, Ill. – The Maryville men's basketball team was looking for the season sweep of McKendree but the Bearcats scored the go-ahead basket with 19 seconds left to down the Saints 60-56. Ari Jackson led the Saints with 15 points and tied for the team lead by grabbing six rebounds. Kelvin Swims added 11 points and Jaeden Smith reached double figures for the third straight game with 10 points.
 
What Happened:
After trailing for most of the first half, the Saints opened the second half on a 10-2 run. Swims sank two free throws and drilled a 3-pointer. After a bucket by McKendree, Jackson hit a jumper and two at the line to pull the Saints to 36-32. Still down 42-34, the Saints sprinted into the lead using an 11-0 burst. Cameron Scales and Smith splashed down back-to-back 3-pointers. After a Swims layup tied the game, Daniel Farris' three-point play helped the Saints take their first lead of the day at 45-42 with 10:50 to play.
 
A Smith triple pushed Maryville's margin to 48-44 but the Bearcats scored seven-in-a-row to go back ahead 51-48 with just under five minutes to play. After a Farris jumper, Swims tipped in a shot with one second left on the shot clock for a 52-51 Maryville lead with 3:03 remaining. Smith answered for the Saints and a 54-51 edge. McKendree rebounded and took a 55-54 lead with 1:56 to play. Swims hit a floater in the lane for a 56-55 lead with 1:35 left. The Saints came up with a steal but were unable to build their lead. McKendree took the lead with 19 seconds left to play. The Saints had a chance to take the lead but missed, and McKendree hit both ends of a one-and-one with six ticks to play and one more one free throw with 2.5 seconds left.
 
Statistical Leaders:
Points: Ari Jackson - 15
Rebounds: Ari Jackson and Cameron Scales - 6
Assists: Daniel Farris and Cameron Scales - 4
3-Pointers: Ari Jackson and Jaeden Smith - 2
Steals: three players - 2
Blocked Shots: Kelvin Swims - 2
 
Records:
Maryville: 10-15, 4-13
McKendree: 13-8, 9-8
 
What's Next?
The Saints play a rescheduled game Monday, Feb. 21, as they head to Springfield, Mo., for their final road contest of the regular season. Game time at Drury is 6 p.m.