(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 4) – The McKendree University women's basketball team fell to No. 1 Drury, 84-63 Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats are now 7-4 overall on the season and 0-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

McKendree earned an early lead in the first quarter, 8-4 at its largest, and then kept pace with the Panthers for a majority of the first quarter. Drury began to pull away late in the first and then maintained the momentum headed into the second quarter going up 20 on the Bearcats at the largest deficit. McKendree went on a nine-point unanswered run to cut the Panthers lead to 45-30 heading into halftime.

Drury maintainted the lead and kept its full court press strong throughout the third period. McKendree was able to rebound in the fourth quarter recording 21 points, the most out of any quarter for the Bearcats, but it was not enough to surpass the Panthers. Drury remains perfect on the season with the 84-63 win over McKendree.

Senior forward Shayli Florine (Galesburg, IL/Galesburg) led the Bearcats with 10 points, seven rebounds, and one block on the day. Junior guard Callie Pohlman (Appleton, WI/Appleton North) was also an essential McKendree player recording nine points, six assists, four rebounds, and two steals. The lead rebounder for the Bearcats was senior forward Madison Hart (Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek) who tallied eight rebounds on the day as well as six points, two assists, and two steals.

The Bearcats were able to hold the Panthers to a 28.6 shooting percentage from behind the three point line to keep the game competitive. McKendree also recorded a better free throw percentage than Drury, 78.6 percent for the Bearcats compared to the Panthers 73.7 percent from behind the line.

McKendree will continue its home stand with a match against Bellarmine on Thursday, Jan. 9. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.