Box Score

(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 25)- The McKendree University women's basketball team held a three-point edge at the half, but couldn't hold on in the second half to drop a 66-62 decision to Saint Xavier University.

The Bearcats fell to 6-3 overall and will host Robert Morris University-Chicago on Saturday, November 26th at 4 p.m.

McKendree had four players score in double-figures and were led by junior forward Shelby Woelfel (Jerseyville, Ill./Jerseyville)'s 14 points. Freshman guard Caty Ponce (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville) had 13 points, while junior forward Courtney Harris (Wildwood, Mo./St. Joseph Academy) and sophomore guard Brittany Willis (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway South) had 11 and 10 points, respectively.

A fast-paced first half featured seven lead changes and neither team ever leading by more than six. The Bearcats led by six, 29-23, after a layup by junior forward Jessica Steinmetz (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) with just under five minutes to play, only for the Cougars to battle back to get within one, 32-31, with 36-seconds left on a layup by Margaret Wildner. Two free throws by Ponce with seven seconds left gave McKendree a 34-31 edge at the break.

The Bearcats extended their lead to eight, 43-35, after a free throw by Ponce at the 17:23 mark, and held onto their lead over the three minutes until Saint Xavier tied the game 50-50 with eight minutes to play. Both squads battled back-and-forth to secure a lead in the final minutes and a jumper by Suzie Broski of the Cougars with three minutes left put McKendree down, 61-60. The Bearcats only scored one more time over the final three minutes of the game, a layup by Woelfel with two seconds left, to fall 66-62.

Morgan Stuut led all players with 17 points and 13 rebounds for Saint Xavier, while Suzie Broski had 16 points.