(ST. LOUIS, Mo., Nov. 21)—The McKendree College women’s basketball team led from start to finish in posting a 75-68 victory Tuesday night at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

 

Junior forward Heather Elders (Energy, Ill./Herrin) (Energy, Ill./Herrin) posted a team-high 22 points in helping the Bearcats snap a two-game losing streak. McKendree improves to 4-2 overall. Missouri-St. Louis slips to 1-2 on the season.

 

McKendree used a 12-2 run to take a 26-13 lead with 6:16 remaining in the first half. The Bearcats shot 56 percent (14-of-25) in the first half to grab a 34-25 advantage at the half. McKendree eventually stretched the margin to 53-38 on jumper by sophomore forward Emily Best (Wood River, Ill./East Alton-Wood River) (Worden, Ill./East Alton-Wood River) with 12:37 remaining.

 

The host Riverwomen started to chip into the Bearcat lead, and pulled to within 59-58 on a basket by Nichole Helfrich with 5:19 on the clock. McKendree scored the next six points to regain a seven-point advantage, then put the game away by hitting eight free throws in the last 57 seconds of play.

 

Senior forward Emily Hart (Columbia, Ill./Columbia) (Columbia, Ill./Columbia) chipped in with 14 points and a team-best six rebounds for McKendree, while junior forward Suzy Gerler (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) notched 10 points and five rebounds. Sophomore guard Kelsey Park (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) collected a game-high five steals for the Bearcats, while senior guard Katie Hasheider (Okawville, Ill./Okawville) (Okawville, Ill./Okawville) dished out eight assists.

 

Jennifer Martin scored a game-high 23 points to lead Missouri-St. Louis, while Courtney Watts added 19 points for the Riverwomen. Leslie Ricker pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds for UMSL.