(KANSAS CITY, Mo., November 1)- The No. 25 McKendree University women's basketball team lost its season opener at Avila University, 80-63, on Monday night.

The Bearcats, 0-1 overall, will host their home opener on Wednesday, November 3rd against St. Ambrose University at 7 p.m.

The game was close early in the first half until the Lady Eagles broke the game open with a 25-4 run with 11 minutes to go before the break. McKendree struggled offensively in the first half and only shot 26.7 percent from the field compared to the Eagles 54.2 percent. The Bearcats improved offensively after the half, but the deficit paired with Avila's perfect 16-of-16 from the free throw line and 12 three pointer's was too much to overcome down the stretch.

Senior guard Katie Fullerton (Coulterville, Ill., Marissa) and sophomore forward Shelby Woelfel (Jerseyville, Ill., Jerseyville) were the only McKendree players to score in double figures. Fullerton had a team-high 20 points, while Woelfel had 11 points. Alyson Young led all players with 32 points for Avila, while Brittany Townsend and Jessica James each had 18 and 13 points, respectively.