(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 14)—The McKendree University women’s basketball used a big second half to post a 62-54 non-conference victory Wednesday at home against Lindenwood University.

 

The Bearcats shot just 27.3 percent in the first half in trailing 31-24, but turned the tables in the final 20 minutes to collect their second straight win. McKendree connected on 50 percent of its field goal attempts in the second half (15-of-30) and used a 17-6 run to take the lead for good. The Bearcats are now 2-3 overall and will be at Culver-Stockton College for a contest Friday at 7 p.m.

 

Freshman guard Ashley Agee (Moberly, Mo./Moberly) (Moberly, Mo./Moberly) scored nine of her team-high 15 points in the second half to lead the way for McKendree. Sophomore guard Haley Klingelhoefer (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) chipped in with 14 points while senior forward Heather Elders (Energy, Ill./Herrin) (Energy, Ill./Herrin) collected 11 points and eight rebounds for the Bearcats. Senior forward Suzy Gerler (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for McKendree.

 

Lindenwood (2-2) stretched its seven-point halftime lead to 36-26 on two free throws by Crystal Castillo with 18:56 remaining. McKendree then started its decisive run with eight straight points, the last four coming from junior guard Kelsey Park (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) to pull with 36-34. The Bearcats eventually pulled within 42-40 on a three-pointer by Agee before a basket and free throw by Park with 8:31 to play gave McKendree its first lead of the second half, 43-42.

 

The Lions grabbed the lead one final time before a run of seven consecutive points from Klingelhoefer helped the Bearcats seize control, 50-44, with 6:29 on the clock.

 

Natalie Hooss led Lindenwood with 14 points, while Cassie Williams pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds in the effort. The Lions outrebounded the Bearcats by a margin of 46-34 in the game.