Box Score (LEBANON, Ill., Dec. 1)- The McKendree University women's basketball team couldn't overcome a double-digit deficit in the second half on Saturday and fell 69-60 to Lincoln University (Mo.).

The Bearcats fall to 4-3 overall and will play its final game of first semester on Wednesday, December 5 when they host Missouri Baptist University at 7 p.m.

Sophomore guard Caty Ponce (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville) led McKendree with 18 points, while junior guard Brittany Willis (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway South) scored 11 points. Senior forward Shelby Woelfel (Jerseyville, Ill./Jerseyville) led all players with 10 rebounds and a career-high six steals.

The Bearcats took a 9-8 lead on a three-pointer by Ponce with 14:24 to play in the first half, but the Blue Tigers answered with a 9-0 run to jump out to a 17-9 lead.

Lincoln pressured McKendree defensively in the first half and forced 13 turnovers. The Blue Tigers held on to a double-digit lead over the final three minutes of play, and held a 43-28 lead at the half.

Lincoln led 60-43 with 7:50 to go in the second half before the Bearcats went on an 11-0 run that cut the deficit to 60-54 with just over five minutes to play.

A jumper by Woelfel with 1:10 left in the game brought McKendree within five, 64-59, but a three-pointer on the Blue Tiger's next possession put things out of reach for the Bearcats.

Freddie Sims led all players with 19 points for Lincoln, while Dahlia Booker also scored in double-figures with 17 points.