(LEBANON, Ill., March 4)—The McKendree University women's basketball team registered its largest margin of victory of the season with an 87-47 win Wednesday at home against Missouri Baptist University in the quarterfinal round of the American Midwest Conference Tournament.

Sophomore guard Ashley Agee (Moberly, Mo./Moberly) (Moberly, Mo./Moberly) led five different McKendree players scoring in double figures with 21 points as the Bearcats were able to avenge two regular-season losses to Missouri Baptist. McKendree, the No. 3 seed in the AMC Tournament, improves to 19-11 on the year and will travel to Columbia, Mo., on Friday to meet second-seeded Columbia College in the semifinals. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

Sophomore guard Katie Fullerton (Coulterville, Ill./Coulterville) (Coulterville, Ill./Coulterville) chipped in with 16 points, seven rebounds and a game-high four steals for the Bearcats, while senior forward Emily Best (Wood River, Ill./East Alton-Wood River) (Wood River, Ill./East Alton-Wood River) posted 14 points and eight rebounds. Junior guard Haley Klingelhoefer (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) came off the bench to score 11 points, and junior forward Amanda Schuring (Gilberts, Ill./H.D. Jacobs) (Gilberts, Ill./H.D. Jacobs) connected for 10 points for the Bearcats. Freshman forward Ashley Dressler (Columbia, Mo./Rockbridge) (Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) pulled down a game-high nine rebounds for McKendree, while held a 40-26 edge on the boards. Senior guard Kelsey Park (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) also had a game-high eight assists in the effort.

McKendree shot 67.9 percent (19-of-28) from the field in the second half and 55.6 percent (35-of-63) for the game. The Bearcats also forced 21 Missouri Baptist turnovers, including 15 in the first half.

Missouri Baptist (14-14) jumped out to a 9-2 lead before McKendree took control. The Bearcats scored the next 12 points to grab a 14-9 lead at the 11:11 mark of the first half. The Spartans eventually pulled to within 18-17 when McKendree pulled away for good. The Bearcats reeled off the next 19 points to extend its margin to 37-17 with just under two minutes to play in the half. McKendree held Missouri Baptist without a point for nearly six minutes during the decisive run.

After leading 41-21 at the intermission, McKendree scored 10 of the first 13 points of the second half to push its lead to 53-24. The Bearcats led by as many as 46 points in coasting to the victory.

Alexis Rhoades paced Missouri Baptist with 16 points, while Sommer McCauley recorded 10 points and a team-leading seven rebounds for the Spartans.

McKendree and Columbia split its regular season series, with each team winning on its home floor. The Cougars, who are ranked No. 16 in NAIA Division I with a record of 28-3, defeated the Bearcats 59-45 on Jan. 20 in Columbia, Mo. McKendree returned the favor with a 61-47 victory on Feb. 17 at the Melvin Price Convocation Center.

Friday's game can be heard on the Bearcat Sports Network at http://athletics.mckendree.edu.

-McK-