(ROMEOVILLE, Ill., Feb. 20) – The McKendree University women's basketball team fell to Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) opponent Lewis University 71-62 in Romeoville, Ill., Thursday night. The Bearcats are now 11-14 overall on the season and 4-13 in GLVC competition.

McKendree had an explosive first quarter powered by senior guard Madison Hart's (Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek) 10 points to take a 17-14 lead over the Flyers. Lewis flipped the switch and recorded 17 points of its own in the second quarter while the Bearcats only earned nine. Hart scored as time expired to cut the Flyers lead to 31-26 heading into halftime.

The Bearcats pulled within two points of Lewis on three different occasions in the third quarter, the third being when senior forward Brianna Johnson (Lodi, WI/Beaver Dam) scored with 1:18 left in the third quarter to cut the Flyers lead to two one final time, 44-42 heading into the final quarter of action. McKendree tied the game up to start the fourth quarter off of a sophomore guard Kaelyn Froebe (Lincoln, IL/Lincoln) layup. Lewis answered back with a quick six-point run that sparked a momentum change. The Flyers went on to win 71-62.

Both Hart and Johnson recorded a double-double for the Bearcats, Hart ending the game with 18 points and 12 rebounds and Johnson finishing the night with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Junior guard Callie Pohlman (Appleton, WI/Appleton North) was also a strong force for McKendree with nine points, three rebounds, and three steals.

As a team, the Bearcats shot 40 percent from field goal range and 66.7 percent from the free throw line. The biggest setback for McKendree was its lack of three point shots made in the game while the Flyers sank seven. The Bearcats were a force to be reckoned with in the paint scoring 44 of their 62 points inside the field while only allowing the Flyers to score 24.

The Bearcats will return to campus for their final home contest of the 2019-20 season Saturday, Feb. 22 for a game against Illinois Springfield. McKendree will recognize its seniors 10 minutes before tip-off, which is scheduled for 1 p.m.