Box Score (FAYETTE, Mo., Nov. 5)- Freshman guard Caty Ponce (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville) led all scorers with 12 points for the McKendree University women's basketball team on Saturday afternoon in a 54-46 victory over host Central Methodist University at the Lady Eagles Classic. Ponce and sophomore guard Brittany Willis (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway South) were also both named to the All-Tournament team.

The Bearcats improved to 2-0 overall and will host their home opener against Missouri Baptist University on Tuesday, November 8th at 7 p.m.

Willis and junior forward Shelby Woelfel (Jerseyville, Ill./Jerseyville) each had nine points in the win, while Woelfel narrowly missed recording a double-double by alos pulling down nine rebounds.

After trading buckets over the first few minutes of play, McKendree took advantage of some early turnovers by Central Methodist to score six straight and jump out to a 10-4 lead with 10:51 left in the first half. The Lady Eagles battled back and took hold of a 20-19 with 1:25 remaining. Jumpers in the final minute by senior forward Ashley Dressler (Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) and Ponce didn't fall and the Bearcats found themselves with a one point deficit at the break.

Central Methodist held onto their lead until a free throw by Ponce tied the game 25-25 with 15:35 remaining. Junior forward Emily Woodland (Eureka, Mo./Eureka) sank two free throws to cap off an 8-0 run that put McKendree in front 33-25, and the Bearcats pushed their lead out to as many as 11 over the remainder of the half to secure the 54-46 victory.

Sami Dungar and Raylyn Nuss led the Lady Eagles with 11 and 10 points, respectively.