Dec. 16, 2008

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - McKendree University men's basketball coach Harry Statham became the all-time leader for games coached at any division of four-year college basketball on Tuesday as his Bearcat squad defeated Concordia University in St. Louis, 70-48.

Statham, now in his 43rd season as the head coach for the Bearcats, coached in career game No. 1,355. That pushes him past former Mt. St. Mary's head coach Jim Phelan for the all-time mark. In 49 seasons, Phelan coached in 1,354 games. Statham, who is the all-time leader in games coached in men's basketball history, earned career victory No. 976 in Tuesday's contest.

McKendree, the No. 12 team in NAIA Division I, won its fourth straight game to improve to 11-4 on the year. The Bearcats will have two weeks off before their next game on Dec. 30 at Ohio Dominican University. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. EST (3 p.m. CST).