Cremeens and the LCU Red Lions fall short to McKendree

[November 29, 2012]  LEBANON, Ill. -- Lincoln Christian University senior shooting guard Brady Cremeens (Hopedale, Olympia High) scored 15 points, while sophomore forward David Graves (Eustace, Texas, Eustace High) followed with 14 points, but that wasn't enough as the Bearcats of McKendree University, an NCAA II school, beat the Red Lions 69-53 on Tuesday at Melvin Price Convocation Center.

The Red Lions (2-4) started out slowly, with McKendree (2-3) putting a 10-0 run on them to begin the game. However, the Red Lions fought back, closing the gap and playing within six to 10 points of McKendree for the majority of the first half. The Red Lions shot poorly from the field in the first half, including going 1 of 9 from behind the arc, which led to a halftime score of 27-14 with the Bearcats leading.

The second half was a different story for both teams as shots began falling.

McKendree's duo of No. 32 Clinton Happe and No. 5 John Steppe led the Bearcats' scoring attack in the second half. Happe led all scorers with 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting for the game, while Steppe recorded a double-double with 22 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 9 of 11 from the line, and 14 rebounds.

David Graves led the scoring attack for the Red Lions during the second half, scoring 12 of his 14 points in the half on 6-of-15 shooting for the game. Freshman point guard Anthony Rush (Peoria, ICC) helped the attack by leading the Red Lions with seven rebounds, three steals and three assists.

However, the Bearcats of McKendree proved to be too much for the Red Lions in the second half as they outscored LCU 42-39 in the half.

The Red Lions will try for their next win when they take a three-game road trip to Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing, Mich., for the NCCAA II Mid-West Regional Tip-Off Tournament. The Red Lions will play Great Lakes Christian College on Thursday at 8 p.m. EST, Maranatha Baptist Bible College on Friday at 6 p.m. EST and Grace Bible College on Saturday at 4 p.m. EST.

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LCU's School of Undergraduate Studies is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association, Division II. Founded in Lincoln in 1944, Lincoln Christian University's three schools -- the School of Undergraduate Studies, the Hargrove School of Adult & Graduate Studies and the Seminary -- share a mission to nurture and equip Christians with a biblical worldview to serve and lead in the church and the world. For more information about the Red Lions visit LincolnChristian.edu/athletics.

[Text from report by Mac Ingmire, Lincoln Christian University]

LCU men's basketball