(LEBANON, Ill., Dec. 3) – The McKendree University women's basketball team fell in its opening Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) game Tuesday night, 71-66 against Southern Indiana.

The Bearcats experienced an explosive first quarter scoring 29 points compared to the Screaming Eagles' 17 with senior guard Jordan Heberg (Romeoville, IL/Plainfield North) scoring 15 of the 29 points for the Bearcats, a personal season high in one quarter of competition. McKendree shot 71.4 percent, connecting 10 of their 14 field goal attempts and 75 percent from behind the three-point line during the first quarter.

The Screaming Eagles slowly chipped away at McKendree's lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Bearcats 17-10. The Bearcats still shot 50 percent in the second period and maintained the lead heading into halftime, 39-34.  

McKendree hit a third quarter slump allowing Southern Indiana to score 22 points compared to its 13. The Bearcats fought back in the fourth quarter but it wasn't enough to overpower the Screaming Eagles as they went on to win the game 71-66.

Heberg ended the night with 29 points, a new career best to lead the McKendree offense. Sophomore guard Jenna Krause (Seymour, WI/Seymour) was also a key offensive player for the Bearcats tallying 12 points on the night along with three assists, two steals, and three offensive rebounds.

Senior guard Madison Hart (Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek) recorded 12 rebounds in the game to lead the Bearcats' defensive efforts followed by senior forward Brianna Johnson (Lodi, WI/Beaver Dam) who tallied seven rebounds. Krause was also an impact player on the defense collecting four defensive rebounds and four blocks against the Southern Indiana offense.

The Bearcats are now 5-2 overall on the 2019-20 season and 0-1 in GLVC play. McKendree's next game will be against Columbia College on Dec. 13 in Lebanon, IL. Tip-off is slated for 6:00 p.m.