ST. LOUIS (AP) Harry Statham earned his record-breaking 1,099th victory as a head coach on Saturday as freshman Nate Michael scored 40 points to lead McKendree to a 92-84 win over Maryville.
The 78-year-old Statham, who is in his 50th season coaching the Bearcats, moved past legendary Tennessee women's coach Pat Summitt for most wins ever by a coach at a four-year school. He has 476 losses.
Michael had 22 points in the second half and David Franklin had 14 of his 21 after halftime as the Bearcats (11-10, 4-9 Great Lakes Valley Conference) pulled away. Michael Jackson had 12 of his 14 points in the second half and grabbed 10 rebounds.
McKendree had tremendous success under Statham at the NAIA level, making 40 postseason appearances - including 10 in the national tournament during a 12-year span - ending in 2011. Then the Bearcats moved up to Division II and have struggled.
The milestone win came on the Bearcats' third try after losing the past two games.
Forrester Sims had 23 points and Marvin Grant-Clark 21 for the Saints (8-15, 2-11).
