(KIRKSVILLE, Mo., Jan. 26)—The McKendree University women's basketball team closed out a two-game road trip Saturday afternoon with a 76-56 loss at Truman State University.
 
The host Bulldogs shot 50 percent for the game and built a 41-29 halftime lead on their way to their sixth victory in seven outings. McKendree moves to 10-8 on the year and 4-5 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Bearcats will return to the Statham Center Thursday evening to play host to the University of Indianapolis in league action. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
Junior forward Megan Jensen (Union, MO/Saint Francis Borgia Regional) and sophomore guard Sydney Diekhoff (Pekin, IL/Pekin Community) each scored nine points to lead a balanced attack for McKendree. Jensen and junior forward Briana Johnson shared team-high rebounding honors with four apiece. Sophomore guard Callie Pohlman (Appleton, WI/Appleton North) helped out with six points, three assists and a pair of steals in the contest for the Bearcats.
 
Truman State (17-3, 8-2 GLVC) started Saturday's game with a hot hand from the field, hitting 60 percent of its attempts in the period to grab a 22-16 lead after 10 minutes of action. McKendree looked to battle back in the second quarter and pulled within 26-22 following a lay-up and free throw from Jensen with 6:44 remaining before halftime. The Bulldogs slowly pulled away over the closing minutes of the half and used a 10-3 run over the final 4:20 to take a 41-29 lead into the locker room.
 
In the early stages of the second half, Truman State pushed its lead to double figures and stretched the margin out to 57-38 after three quarters of play. The Bulldogs led by as many as 24 points midway through the fourth quarter in notching the GLVC victory. Truman State received a strong effort from its bench players in Saturday's win, getting 47 of its 76 points from its reserve players.
 
Allison Thomas came off the bench to lead all players with 12 points for Truman State. Maddie Re recorded a double-double for the Bulldogs with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.