(LIBERTY, Mo., Jan. 16) – The McKendree University women's basketball team earned its first Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) win of the year with 78-74 win over William Jewell in Liberty, Mo., Thursday night. The Bearcats are now 8-6 overall on the season.

Senior guard Jordan Heberg (Romeoville, IL/Plainfield North) scored first for the Bearcats within the first twelve seconds of competition to get McKendree on the board first. Heberg went on to lead the Bearcats with 24 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

McKendree maintained a steady lead in the first half, recording a 15-point lead over the Cardinals at its largest. At halftime, the Bearcats held a 34-24 lead over the Cardinals. To start the second half, McKendree went on a 13-2 run stretching its lead to 47-28 in the third quarter.

William Jewell worked its way back into the game in the fourth quarter, recording its best shooting percentage of 75 percent from the field goal range and 83.33 percent from the arch, to regain the lead 69-68 with 1:14 left to play. McKendree went on to score eight points off of free throws to seal the 78-74 win over the Cardinals.

In the victory, McKendree shot better from the field goal range and behind the free throw line than the Cardinals. The Bearcats recorded a 53.8 shooting percentage going 21 for 39 in field goals and went 33-40 to earn an 82.5 free throw shooting percentage.
McKendree had four shooters earn double digit points on the night in Heberg, senior forward Shayli Florine (Galesburg, IL/Galesburg), sophomore guard Jenna Krause (Seymour, WI/Seymour), and senior guard Madison Hart (Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek). Heberg led the way with 24 points, Florine tallied 13 points, Krause was next with 12, and Hart rounded out the efforts with 10. Hart was also the leader in steals and assists for the Bearcats with four assists and three steals.

The Bearcats will compete next against Rockhurst on Saturday, Jan. 18 in Kansas City, Mo. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.