(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 15) – The McKendree University women's basketball team fell to Lindenwood University in a close matchup, 90-85, Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats are now 11-13 overall on the season and 4-11 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).
The Bearcats controlled the entire first quarter, leading the Lions by as much as nine points at one point. McKendree led Lindenwood 23-18 at the end of the first quarter. The Lions placed pressure on the Bearcats in the second quarter, even regaining the lead with just three minutes left to play in the half. McKendree answered back and was able to close out the first half with a 42-29 lead over Lindenwood.
The third quarter remained close with the lead changing or tied eight times. McKendree took a two-point lead heading into the final quarter of action. The fourth quarter was just as close as the third with the game tied 79-79 with just 2:39 left to play. The Lions then managed a six point unanswered run to take the lead with less than a minute remaining. The Bearcats fought back but weren't able to overpower Lindenwood, falling 90-85.
Four Bearcats tallied double-digit points for McKendree in the highs scoring game. Senior guard
Jordan Heberg (Romeoville, IL/Plainfield North) led the team with 21 points, junior guard
Callie Pohlman (Appleton, WI/Appleton North) followed with 14 points, sophomore guard
Kaelyn Froebe (Lincoln, IL/Lincoln) was next with 13 points, and sophomore guard
Jenna Krause (Seymour, WI/Seymour) rounded out the efforts with 10 points.
Senior forward
Brianna Johnson (Lodi, WI/Beaver Dam) tied her personal best in rebounding to lead the Bearcats with 12 total rebounds, three of which were offensive. Johnson also led the team in assists with five in the game. Senior guard
Madison Hart (Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek) also sat atop the leader board for McKendree in rebounding with nine total rebounds.
The team stat lines sit fairly even for both the Bearcats and the Lions. McKendree was able to record six more points off of second chance opportunities than Lindenwood, 19-13, but the Lions were able to score two more points off of turnovers than the Bearcats, 17-15. Lindenwood's bench scored more points thanMcKendree's 32-24 but the Bearcats were stronger in the paint scoring 42 points insisde the paint compared to the Lions 34.
McKendree will travel to Romeoville, Ill., for its next GLVC contest against Lewis on Thursday, Feb. 20. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
