(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 25) – The McKendree University women's basketball team dropped a Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) contest to Truman State, 77-60. The Bearcats are now 10-8 overall and 3-7 in the GLVC.
Three Bearcats tallied double digit points in the game with senior guard
Jordan Heberg (Romeoville, IL/Plainfield North) leading the way with 14 points. Junior guard
Callie Pohlman (Appleton, WI/Appleton North) was next for McKendree with 13 points, marking her second consecutive game with double-digit points. Sophomore guard
Jenna Krause (Seymour, WI/Seymour) rounded out the offensive efforts for the Bearcats with 10 points.
The first quarter of play was even amongst the Bearcats and the Bulldogs with the lead changing or tied on ten separate occasions. Truman State came out ahead in the last lead change of the quarter 18-16. The Bearcats tied it up right away to begin the second quarter but the Bulldogs answered back with a seven point unanswered run to go up 25-18. Momentum gathered for Truman State and it capitalized on it to take a 39-25 lead heading into halftime.
McKendree chipped away at Truman State's lead to begin the third quarter and never let up the pressure. By the end of the ten minute period, the Bearcats only trailed by four points, 49-45. As a team, McKendree recorded double the points of the Bulldogs in the third quarter, 20-10. They went three for three from the three point line and shot 50 percent from the field goal range. The comeback was cut short as Truman opened the fourth quarter with a three pointer to remain in control. The Bulldogs eventually went on to win 77-60.
Second chance opportunities proved to be costly for the Bearcats as they allowed the Bulldogs to earn 16 of their 77 points off of second chance plays while McKendree only recorded four points off of second chances. Fast breaks were also in favor of the Bulldogs as they tallied 15 points on fast break opportunities. The Bearcats' bench did outscore Truman State's bench, 22-18.
Defensively, senior guard
Madison Hart (Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek) had eight rebounds and one steal for the Bearcats. Senior forward
Brianna Johnson (Lodi, WI/Beaver Dam) was also an important defensive player for McKendree, tallying six rebounds. Three Bearcats recorded blocks in the game; Krause with one, senior forward
Megan Jensen (Union, MO/Saint Francis Borgia Regional) with one, and junior guard
Madison Jones (Abingdon, IL/Abiingdon-Avon) had one.
McKendree will begin a four-game road stint next week starting with a game against Lindenwood University on Thursday, Jan. 30 in St. Charles, Mo. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
