(ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Jan. 22) – The McKendree women’s basketball team saw their five-game winning streak come to an end Tuesday night after losing to Harris-Stowe State University, 67-63.

 

Both teams were tied atop the American Midwest Conference standings heading into the game and Harris-Stowe now holds sole possession of first place in the AMC with the win. The Bearcats host Brescia University for a non-conference contest Thursday at 7 p.m.  McKendree hosts Columbia College for an AMC game Saturday at 2 p.m.

 

Junior forward Emily Best (Wood River, Ill./East Alton-Wood River) (Wood River, Ill./East Alton-Wood River) led the Bearcats with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the contest to record the double-double. Senior forward Suzy Gerler (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) scored 14 points in the loss and junior guard Kelsey Park (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) was the only other McKendree player in double figures with 13 points and also had five assists.

 

The Bearcats used their height advantage early in the contest and led by six points after a half of play. McKendree continued to pass the ball to Best and Gerler in the post in the second half, building an eleven point lead in the contest, before NAIA All-American Chanel Ross got on a hot streak late in the game. The Bearcats lead dwindled in the final minutes and steals and the ensuing transition baskets by Ross sealed the game for the Hornets. Ross finished the game with 21 points, six steals and six rebounds in the game.

 

The Bearcats fell to 11-8 overall and 4-1 in the AMC, while Harris-Stowe is 14-6 overall and 5-0 in the AMC.