Jan. 12, 2008

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. -- McKendree (Ill.) University head coach Harry Statham became the first men's college basketball coach to record 950 career victories as the Bearcats recorded a 98-73 win Saturday (Jan. 12) at Williams Baptist (Ark.) College.

Statham, now in his 42nd season as the head coach and athletic director at his alma mater, improved to 950-373 overall. He became college basketball's all-time wins leader back on Dec. 1, 2004, when McKendree defeated Maryville University 83-72 in Lebanon, Ill. That was career win No. 880 for Statham, moving him past Dean Smith for the all-time lead at the four-year level.

Statham remains the only men's college basketball coach at the four-year level with at least 900 victories. Texas Tech head coach Bob Knight, the NCAA's all-time leader in wins, stayed at 899 after his Red Raider squad lost earlier Saturday to Oklahoma State University, 74-55.

In Saturday's game, all five McKendree starters scored in double figures as the Bearcats moved to 12-5 overall and 2-0 in American Midwest Conference play. McKendree, ranked No. 18 in NAIA Division I, will play host to the University of Illinois at Springfield Thursday at 7 p.m.

Freshman forward Brad Copelin (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) led the way for McKendree with 21 points, while senior guard T.J. Stone (Hendersonville, Tenn./People's Academy) notched 14 points. Junior guard Eric Palm (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) added 12 points and a game-high six assists, while freshman forward Eric Hobbie (Vandalia, Ill./Vandalia) and sophomore forward Ken Detmer (Aviston, Ill./Breese Central) each posted 10 points for the Bearcats. Copelin and Detmer each pulled down a team-leading nine rebounds for McKendree, while Detmer was right behind with eight.

McKendree started the game on an 11-3 run before Williams Baptist (8-8, 0-2 AMC) battled back within 11-7 at the 15:21 mark. The Bearcats used a 13-4 run later in the period to extend their lead to 35-17 before taking a 43-26 advantage into the half. McKendree pulled away in the second half by shooting 59 percent (23-of-39) from the field in the final 20 minutes. The Bearcats also held a 49-31 edge on the boards against the Eagles.

Marcus Massey led a balanced attack for Williams Baptist with 16 points, while Jeremy Hansen contributed 13 points. Steven Dowdie, the NAIA Division I leader in blocked shots, grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and contributed three blocks.