(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 22) – The McKendree University women's basketball team defeated the University of Illinois Springfield Saturday afternoon on senior day, 83-76. The Bearcats are now 12-14 overall on the season and 5-13 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

McKendree struggled to find its footing in the first quarter only scoring 10 points while the Prairie Stars were able to put up 22 to start the game. The Bearcats rebounded and scored 26 points in the second quarter, shooting 57.14 percent from field goal range, 66.67 percent at the three point line, and 80 percent at the free throw line. Despite the surge in the second quarter, UIS still took a 43-36 lead heading into halftime.

The Bearcats momentum didn't stop after the second quarter, McKendree went on to have two 20+ point third and fourth quarters. In the third quarter, the Bearcats began the half with a seven-point run to tie the game up within the first three minutes of play. McKendree and Illinois Springfield battled it out the remained of the third quarter with the Prairie Stars holding onto a one point lead heading into the final quarter of play. It wasn't until the fourth minute of play in the fourth quarter that the Bearcats took back the lead, which they held onto it and went on to win 83-76.

Five Bearcats recorded double-digit points in the win. Senior guard Jordan Heberg (Romeoville, IL/Plainfield North) led the pack with 19 points, freshman guard Kaelyn Froebe (Lincoln, IL/Lincoln) was next with 16 points, sophomore Jenna Krause (Seymour, WI/Seymour) followed with 13 points, senior Madison Hart (Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek) was close behind with 12 points, and senior forward Megan Jensen (Union, MO/Saint Francis Borgia Regional) rounded out the efforts for McKendree with 11 points.

Hart was also a defensive leader for the Bearcats tallying 10 rebounds for the Bearcats marking her eighth double-double on the season during her final home game for McKendree basketball. Froebe and Jensen each picked up a block for the Bearcats defense as well.

Overall on the afternoon, McKendree shot 50 percent from field goal range, 41.7 percent from the three point line, and 78.6 percent at the free throw line.

The Bearcats will close out their 2019-20 regular season with a two game road series at the University of Indianaolis and Bellarmine University. The game against the Greyhounds will be on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 5:30 p.m. ET while the game against the Knights will be on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 1 p.m. ET.