(FULTON, Mo., Feb. 2)--The McKendree University women’s basketball team scored the first 19 points of the contest and never looked back in cruising to an 86-70 win Saturday at William Woods University.

 

The Bearcats held the Owls without a point over the first 7:40 of play to notch its fourth straight victory. McKendree moves to 15-8 overall and sits in second place in the American Midwest Conference standings at 7-1. William Woods slips to 2-18 on the year and 1-7 in league play.

 

Junior forward Emily Best (Wood River, Ill./East Alton-Wood River) (Wood River, Ill./East Alton-Wood River) led the scoring attack for McKendree with 19 points, while freshman guard Ashley Agee (Moberly, Mo./Moberly) (Moberly, Mo./Moberly) connected for 17 points. Senior forward Suzy Gerler (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) added 15 points and a team-leading nine rebounds and senior forward Heather Elders (Energy, Ill./Herrin) (Energy, Ill./Herrin) had 11 points. Junior guard Kelsey Park (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) handed out a career-high 10 assists for the Bearcats.

 

McKendree shot 54.8 percent from the field (34-of-62) and dished out 25 assists as a team. The Bearcats led 46-30 at the half and held off the Owls by allowing William Woods just 31.6 percent shooting (12-of-38) in the final 20 minutes of play.

 

Stephanie Burger led a balanced attack for William Woods with 17 points, while Kelsey Frey added 14 points.

 

The Bearcats will play host to Williams Baptist College on Tuesday in AMC play. Tip-off at the Melvin Price Convocation Center is set for 7 p.m.