(CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., Oct. 29)—The McKendree University women's basketball team tipped off its 2017-18 exhibition season Sunday afternoon with a 61-34 loss at Southeast Missouri State University.
 
The host Redhawks led from start to finish and held off a third-quarter charge by the Bearcats in the first game action of the new season for both teams. McKendree will play one more exhibition contest during the pre-season, which will come on Nov. 6 at the University of Missouri. Tip-off for that contest is slated for 7 p.m.
 
At SEMO, sophomore guard Jordan Heberg (Romeoville, IL/Plainfield North) led McKendree with 10 points. Sophomore forward Shayli Florine (Galesburg, IL/Galesburg) and freshman guard Sydney Diekhoff (Pekin, IL/Pekin Community) each chipped in with five points, while sophomore guard Madison Hart (Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek) pulled down a team-best six rebounds.
 
Defensively, McKendree limited SEMO to just 16.7 percent shooting (2-of-12) from three-point range. The Bearcats also forced 22 turnovers by the Redhawks.
 
Southeast Missouri State scored the first six points of the game before McKendree chipped away and pulled within 8-4 on a free throw by freshman guard Callie Pohlman (Appleton, WI/Appleton North) with 3:09 left in the first quarter. The Redhawks then held the Bearcats without a point for the remainder of the period, closing on a 6-0 run to build a 16-4 lead after 10 minutes. A jumper by Heberg midway through the second period enabled McKendree to trim the deficit to 16-10, but SEMO put together an 11-2 run to end the half and take a 27-12 lead into the locker room.
 
In the third quarter, it was McKendree that held the momentum in the middle stages and pulled back within single digits. A three-pointer from Diekhoff and a pair of free throws by Hart capped an 11-2 run that helped the Bearcats slash the Redhawks' lead to 39-31 with 2:01 to play in the period. SEMO was able to push its lead back to 43-32 at the end of the quarter before pulling away down the stretch to post the exhibition victory.
 
Following the pre-season game at Missouri, McKendree will tip off its 2017-18 regular-season slate at home on Saturday, Nov. 11 against Blackburn College.