(LEBANON, Ill., Dec. 7)—The McKendree University women's basketball team was defeated at home by Truman State University in Great Lakes Valley Conference play, 76-62.
Playing their first home game in nearly a month, the Bearcats trimmed a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit down to just nine points, but the Bulldogs held on to collect the GLVC road win. McKendree moves to 1-5 on the year and 0-2 in league play. The Bearcats will continue their three-game home stand Monday in non-conference action when Kentucky State University visits the Harry M. Statham Sports Center. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.
Senior forward
Shauniera Wilson (Springfield, Ill./Southeast), sophomore guard Madison Hart and freshman guard Callie Pohlman each connected for 10 points to lead a balanced attack for McKendree. Freshman guard Sydney Diekhoff came off the bench to add nine points, while junior forward Jordan Morton nearly finished with a double-double by posting eight points and a team-leading nine rebounds for the Bearcats. Pohlman dished out five assists as well.
Truman State (6-2, 2-0 GLVC) broke open a close game early with a 12-2 run to build a 21-10 lead with 1:13 left in the first quarter. Pohlman helped bring McKendree back at the close of the period, drilling back-to-back three-pointers to help the Bearcats pull within 21-16. The visiting Bulldogs then shot 60 percent from the field in the second quarter to take a 46-29 lead at the half.
After taking a 59-41 lead after three quarters of play, Truman State built its largest lead of the contest at 67-45 with 7:02 remaining. At that point, McKendree started to chip away at the deficit. The Bearcats limited the Bulldogs to just one field goal over the next five minutes, putting together a 15-2 run to rally within 69-60. Five different McKendree players scored during the burst, who was capped by two free throws by sophomore guard Jordan Heberg with 2:12 remaining.
But that was as close as the Bearcats would come the rest of the way as Truman State sealed the win at the free throw line, hitting seven straight free throws over the final 1:36 of play.
Katie Jaseckas led Truman State with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. Rachel Edmundson and Ashley Hartwig each added 11 points for the Bulldogs.
