(ROLLA, Mo., Feb. 6) – The McKendree University women's basketball team defeated the Miners of Missouri S&T 74-60 Thursday night. The Bearcats improve to 11-10 overall on the season and 4-9 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
McKendree and Missouri S&T exchanged baskets the entire first quarter with the Miners coming out just one point ahead, 15-14. The Bearcats opened the second quarter with eight straight points to gather a 23-15 lead over Missouri S&T. McKendree went on to outscore the Miners 25-9 in the second quarter to take a 39-24 lead heading into halftime.
Missouri S&T pulled within four points of the Bearcats in the third quarter 50-46 but McKendree answered back with six unanswered points to hold a 56-46 lead over the Miners with nine minutes left to play. The Bearcats went on an eight point unanswered run to end the game, defeating Missouri S&T 74-60.
Senior guard
Madison Hart (Oak Creek, WI/Oak Creek) recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Bearcats. Hart's 20 points mark a new career best for the senior. Out of her 14 rebounds on the night, three were offensive rebounds.
Senior guard
Jordan Heberg (Romeoville, IL/Plainfield North) and junior guard
Callie Pohlman (Appleton, WI/Appleton North) also netted double-digit points for the Bearcats, Heberg with 18 points and Pohlman with 14. Heberg also tallied eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal for McKendree. Pohlmann recorded three rebounds, three assists, and one steal for the Bearcats as well.
As a team, the Bearcats shot 47 percent from field goal range, 27.3 percent at the three point line, and 64.3 percent from behind the free throw line. McKendree capitalized on second chance opportunities and made plays for itself with offensive rebounds recording 20 points off of second chances. The Bearcats were also unstoppable in the paint scoring 50 of their 74 points from within the boundaries.
McKendree will close out its four game road stint with a game at Maryville University on Saturday, Feb. 8 in St. Louis, Mo. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
