(Chicago, Ill. – Nov.8) – McKendree University outscored No. 13 St. Xavier University 34-32 in the second half Saturday afternoon, but a 36-19 halftime deficit was too much to overcome for the Bearcats in the 68-53 loss.

Senior forward Julie Garrison (Centralia, Ill./Centralia) (Centralia, Ill./Centralia) scored a season-high 10 points in the loss and senior forward Emily Best (Wood River, Ill./East Alton-Wood River) (Wood River, Ill./East Alton-Wood River) led all player's with a career best 15 rebounds. Senior guard Kelsey Park (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) and sophomore guard Ashley Agee (Moberly, Mo./Moberly) (Moberly, Mo./Moberly) contributed 9 points and 8 points, respectively.

The Cougars scored 18 points off Bearcat turnovers in the first half and led 14-3 with 14:56 remaining in the first half. Garrison scored six points over the next two minutes to cut the score to 14-9, only for St. Xavier to extend their lead to 36-19 at half. A three-pointer by Agee with 8:17 left in the second half cut the Cougar lead down to 56-44 but St. Xavier was too strong down the stretch for the Bearcats.

The Bearcats travel to play Lindenwood University Tuesday at 7 p.m.

-McK-