(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 14)- The McKendree University women's basketball team were unable to withstand a fourth quarter surge by Hillsdale College in a 71-59 loss on Saturday.

The Bearcats fall to 1-1 overall and will travel to Jefferson City, Mo., on Nov. 18 to play Lincoln University at 5:30 p.m.

Senior guard Kacey Johnson (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central) led all players with a career-high 12 points, including two three-pointers, while senior guard Ashley Klass (Evansville, Ind./Evansville North) added 11 points. Junior guard/forward Shannon McGinnis (Niles, Ill./Trinity) also scored six points and led all players with nine rebounds.

McKendree fell behind 8-3 in the early going, but used a 7-0 run to tie the score, 8-8 with just under seven minutes to play in the first quarter. The Bearcats went on to hold their largest lead of the first half, 16-13, following a jumper by junior forward Emily Pusheck (South Milwaukee, Wis./South Milwaukee), but had the lead trimmed away and trailed 23-19 at the end of the first quarter. McKendree cut the deficit down to 32-30 with 4:31 left in the first half, but the Chargers outscored the Bearcats 11-2 down the stretch to lead 43-32 at the half.

The Bearcats trailed 47-38 in the third quarter, but used a a 7-0 run to cut the score to 47-45 with 2:08 left in the third quarter. The Chargers responded to lead 53-49 heading into the fourth quarter, and led by double digits for the final 5:21 of the game.

Kayla Geffert led Hillsdale with 12 points.