(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 14)—The McKendree College women’s basketball team ran its season-opening win streak to three games with a 72-47 victory Tuesday at home against Illinois Institute of Technology.

 

Junior forward Suzy Gerler (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) led a balanced offensive attack with 12 points as the Bearcats equaled their best start since the 2002-03 season. McKendree, now 3-0 on the year, will be on the road for its next three games, beginning with a non-conference game Friday at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill.

 

Clinging to a 17-13 lead in the first half, McKendree pulled away by outscoring Illinois Tech 18-3 over the final eight minutes of the period. The Bearcats took a 35-16 lead at the half and took their biggest lead of the night on the final basket of the contest, a jumper by sophomore forward Emily Best (Wood River, Ill./East Alton-Wood River) (Worden, Ill./East Alton-Wood River).

 

Senior guard Katie Hasheider (Okawville, Ill./Okawville) (Okawville, Ill./Okawville) and senior forward Emily Hart (Columbia, Ill./Columbia) (Columbia, Ill./Columbia) each chipped in with 11 points for McKendree, while junior forward Heather Elders (Energy, Ill./Herrin) (Energy, Ill./Herrin) and junior guard Amanda Lance (Poplar Bluff, Mo./Twin Rivers) (Poplar Bluff, Mo./Three Rivers CC) each had nine points. Best pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds as freshman guard Haley Klingelhoefer (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) came off the bench to post a team-leading five assists with four steals.

 

Jackie Puschkar led all players with 16 points and 13 rebounds for Illinois Tech, which dropped to 1-2 on the year.