(St. CHARLES, Mo., Nov. 9)- The No. 25 McKendree University women's basketball team overcame a second half surge by Lindenwood University to earn its first win of the season 71-66.

The Bearcats, now 1-3 overall, will travel to Marshall, Mo., on November 12th to play Missouri Valley College at 7:30 p.m.

McKendree held a 30-21 lead at halftime thanks in part to a 12-for-14 effort from the free throw line in the first half. The Bearcats kept their lead during the start of the second half, but the Lions went on an 8-1 run to take a 37-36 lead with just over 14 minutes remaining in the contest. Both teams battled back and forth over the next five minutes until sophomore guard Leann Voss (Breese, Ill., Breese Central) hit a three pointer to give McKendree a 48-47 lead with just over nine minutes remaining. The Bearcats led by as many as 10 in the final nine minutes of the game and held on for the five point win.

McKendree had five players score in double figures, led by sophomore forward Jessica Steinmetz (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette)'s (Wildwood, Mo., Lafayette) 14 points. Senior guard Katie Fullerton (Coulterville, Ill., Coulterville) and sophomore forward Courtney Harris (St. Louis, Mo., St. Joseph Academy) both had 12 points and Voss and sophomore froward Shelby Woelfel (Jerseyville, Ill., Jerseyville) each had 10 points.

Lindenwood's Morgan Harrington led all players with 17 points, while Kelly Albers had 15 points and 12 rebounds to record the double-double.