(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 5)- The McKendree University women's opened the 2016-17 campaign against "Livin' The Dream" in a preseason exhibition contest Saturday afternoon inside the Harry M. Statham Sports Center. The Bearcats came out on top 76-71.

McKendree kicks off the regular season slate on Nov. 11 against Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, MI. The Bearcats regular season home opener is slated for Nov. 19 against Lindenwood University.

Senior forward Emily Pusheck (South Milwaukee, Wis./South Milwaukee) tied for a game high 15 points in just 18 minutes including a 7-8 mark from the free throw line. Sophomore forward Jordan Morton (Olathe, Kan./Olathe South) tallied 14 points on 6-9 shooting adding four rebounds and one steal. Senior guard Amber Alexander (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway North) was 3-4 from beyond the arc where she recorded all nine of her points to go with five rebounds and four steals. Senior forward Ellie Pusheck (South Milwaukee, Wis./South Milwaukee) and freshman forward Shayli Florine (Galesburg, IL/Galesburg) each pulled down six rebounds for the Bearcats.

Morton paced McKendree in the first quarter with four of her 14 points as the Bearcats shot 50% from the field to give McKendree a 20-19 lead after ten minutes of action. The Bearcats bench showed the way in the second quarter scoring 12 points as McKendree capitalized on four turnovers and put back eight second chance points to give the Bearcats a 39-33 lead at the break.

Livin' The Dream rallied to tie the game at 47-47 with 3:17 remaining in the third quarter but McKendree was able to fend them off with a 7-4 run to close the quarter as the Bearcats held on to a three-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes. Emily Puscheck chipped in six of her 15 points in the fourth quarter and the Bearcats hit all eight of their free throw attempts to help salt away the game down the stretch and open the preseason with a five point win.