(ST. JOSEPH, Mo., Nov. 30)—The McKendree University women's basketball team improved to 5-1 on the season thanks to a 77-69 overtime victory Saturday afternoon over Northwest Missouri State University on the final day of the Fairfield Inn Classic hosted by Missouri Western State University.
 
The Bearcats overcame an 11-point deficit early in the fourth quarter to rally and force overtime against Northwest Missouri, then took control in overtime to pull away for the win. McKendree will open the Great Lakes Valley Conference portion of its 2019-20 season Tuesday at home against the University of Southern Indiana. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center.
 
Senior guard Jordan Heberg (Romeoville, IL/Plainfield North) led the charge for McKendree with 20 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter. Senior forward Megan Jensen (Union, MO/Saint Francis Borgia Regional) came off the bench to post 17 points and eight rebounds, while senior forward Brianna Johnson (Lodi, WI/Beaver Dam) chipped in with 13 points and seven rebounds. Senior guard Madison Hart (Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek) also helped out with eight points and eight rebounds in the win for the Bearcats.
 
Northwest Missouri State (4-3) forged a 28-26 lead at the half and pushed its advantage to 49-40 after three quarters of play before scoring on its first possession of the fourth quarter to stretch its lead to 11 points. McKendree began its comeback at that point, using a 10-2 run over the next three minutes to slash the deficit to 53-50 with 6:56 left in regulation. Heberg scored the first eight points during the burst for McKendree, which was capped by a lay-up from Jensen.
 
After Northwest Missouri State regained a seven-point advantage, the Bearcats went back to work. McKendree slowly shaved the deficit before Jensen made two free throws with 1:41 on the clock to pull within 65-64. A few possessions later, Hart was fouled with 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter and sank two free throws to give the Bearcats a 66-65 lead. Northwest Missouri State got to the line moments later and hit one of two shots to knot the contest at 66-66. McKendree had the final possession in regulation, but a shot from junior guard Callie Pohlman (Appleton, WI/Appleton North) was just off the mark in the closing seconds, sending the contest to overtime.
 
In the extra period, Northwest Missouri State buried a three-pointer on its first possession to take a 79-76 lead. From there, McKendree took control of the contest. The Bearcats' defense pitched a shutout over the final 4:36 of play, holding Northwest Missouri State scoreless on its final nine shots of the afternoon. A lay-up and free throw from Jensen at the 3:41 mark knotted the score one final time at 69-69 before a lay-up from Pohlman 41 seconds later pushed the Bearcats in front to stay.
 
McKendree stormed from the gates early, shooting 66.7 percent from the field in the first quarter in building a 16-11 lead after 10 minutes of play. Johnson poured in the first eight points of the afternoon for the Bearcats. 

With its 5-1 start to the 2019-20 season, McKendree is off to the best start in the program's NCAA Division II era. Saturday's victory also marked the third consecutive year that the Bearcats registered a victory over Northwest Missouri State. The teams played a home-and-home series in each of the previous two seasons, with McKendree prevailing in both contests. 
 
Kendey Eaton led Northwest Missouri State with a game-high 23 points while Erika Schlosser helped out with 14 points.