Box Score (JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Nov. 12)- The McKendree University women's basketball team jumped out to a quick 12-0 lead and earned a 54-41 season opening win at Lincoln University (Mo.).

The Bearcats improved to 1-0 overall and will travel to St. Charles, Mo., on Tuesday, Nov. 19 to face Lindenwood University at 5 p.m. 

Junior guard Caty Ponce (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville) led all players with 19 points, while senior guard Brittany Willis (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway South) scored 16 points. Junior guard Haeley Kreisel (Warsaw, Mo./Warsaw) also scored in double digits with 10 points. Sophomore forward Kara Johnson (St. Louis, Mo./Principia) also pulled down a career-high eight rebounds.

McKendree scored the first 12 points of the game and held on to its double-digit lead for the majority of the first half. The Bearcats went into the half in the lead 24-15.

The Blue Tigers outscored McKendree 13-4 coming out of the break to take a 28-26 lead, their first of the game, at the 14:35 mark.

The Bearcats kept the game close and regained the lead, 37-30, with 10:04 left in the game. McKendree extended its lead back to double digits and earned the 54-41 win.

Lizzie Nessling led Lincoln with 10 points, while Angela Randall had 10 rebounds.