(EVANSVILLE, Ind., Jan 20) – The McKendree University women's basketball team fell to Southern Indiana 72-51 in Evansville, Ind., on Monday night. The Bearcats are now 9-7 overall on the season and 2-6 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).
McKendree remained close with the Screaming Eagles in the opening quarter of play as the two teams went basket-for-basket with one another. A Southern Indiana free throw put USI ahead of the Bearcats by one heading into the second quarter. Competition remained tight as the lead changed back-and-forth ultimately with the Screaming Eagles coming out ahead 31-27 at halftime.
Senior guard
Jordan Heberg (Romeoville, IL/Plainfield North) opened the second half with a three point shot to pull the Bearcats within one of Southern Indiana. The Screaming Eagles answered back with a six-point run, their first larger run of the game. The point deficit spread to double digits late in the third quarter and McKendree trailed Southern Indiana 50-37 heading into the final quarter of play. The Bearcats weren't able to make up the point spread in the fourth quarter, falling to the Screaming Eagles 72-51.
Senior guard
Madison Hart (Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek) recorded her fourth double-double on the season and second consecutive one with 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bearcats. Hart's last double-double occurred this past Saturday in the Bearcats win over Rockhurst where she recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Heberg and senior forward
Shayli Florine (Galesburg, IL/Galesburg) were also top scorers for the Bearcats, each tallying eight points on the night. Florine also collected nine rebounds and one block for McKendree. Sophomore guard
Jenna Krause (Seymour, WI/Seymour) and junior guard
Madison Jones (Abingdon, IL/Abiingdon-Avon) were also impact players for the Bearcats offensive, each recording seven points.
Turnovers proved costly for the Bearcats in the loss as Southern Indiana acquired 32 of its 72 points in the game off of 29 McKendree turnovers. As a team, the Bearcats held the Screaming Eagles to just 7.1 percent from behind the three point line by only allowing one three-point basket all night.
The Bearcats will return home for a game on Thursday, Jan. 23 against Quincy University. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
