(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 9) – The McKendree University women's basketball team fell in a dramatic overtime battle to Bellarmine, 89-86 Thursday night. The Bearcats are now 7-5 overall on the season.

Sophomore guard Jenna Krause (Seymour, WI/Seymour) was unstoppable for the Bearcats putting up a career best 36 points, just four points shy of the McKendree women's basketball single game scoring record. Alongside her strong offensive efforts, Krause earned two rebounds, one block, and three steals on the night for McKendree.

Senior Forward Brianna Johnson (Lodi, WI/Beaver Dam) got the Bearcats on the board first, then McKendree maintained the lead throughout the remainder of the first quarter, 18-9 at its largest. The Bearcats spread their lead into the double-digits to start the second quarter, gaining an 11 point lead on three separate occasions. Bellarmine managed a seven-point unanswered run to cut McKendree's lead late in the second quarter but the Bearcats held a 34-26 lead heading into halftime.

The Knights opened the third quarter with an eight-point run to gain the lead for the first time in the game 38-37. From there, competition remained even between the Bearcats and the Knights as the lead changed eight more times throughout the remainder of the game.

Play came down to the wire with the game tied 67-67 with a minute and ten seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Senior guard Madison Hart (Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek) managed to sink three free throws for the Bearcats to give them a 70-67 lead with 18 seconds remaining. Then, with two seconds remaining in the game, Bellarmine was able to put up a three point shot from far behind the arch to tie the game back up, 70-70. The Bearcats inbounded the ball to Krause who sunk a layup but after extensive review from the officials was ruled no good, which forced the game into overtime.

Overtime was just as competitive as the second half was but with both teams having to deal with players in foul trouble. In the short five minute period, the lead changed three times with Bellarmine finding the last lead change to win the game 89-86 despite Krause draining a three as time expired in overtime.

Free throws proved to be costly for the Bearcats in the tight loss. McKendree finished the night 31 for 48 from behind the line or 64.6 percent. Bellarmine ended the night going 30 for 35 at the free throw line for an 85.7 free throw shooting percentage. Second chance points were also a downfall in the Bearcats close loss as McKendree only recorded four second chance points in comparison to the Knights 11.

The Bearcats' bench out-scored Bellarmine's bench 16-11. McKendree also capitalized more on fast breaks throughout the game, collecting 15 points off fast breaks compared to the Knights eight.

Hart was the lone Bearcat to record a double-double in the overtime game with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Hart also tallied five assists and one block for McKendree. Other impact players for the Bearcats were Johnson and senior guard Jordan Heberg (Romeoville, IL/Plainfield North). Johnson collected eight points, seven rebounds, one block, and three steals for McKendree while Heberg earned seven points, four rebounds, two assists, and one block. Heberg currently sits just eight points shy of hitting the 1,000 career point milestone.

McKendree will close out its four-game home stand on Saturday, Jan. 11 with a game against the University of Indianapolis. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.