(ST. LOUIS, Mo., Feb. 8) – The McKendree University women's basketball team dropped its final road contest of a four-game road stretch to Maryville University, 69-65 Saturday afternoon in St. Louis, Mo. The Bearcats are now 11-11 overall on the season and 4-10 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

Senior guard Jordan Heberg (Romeoville, IL/Plainfield North) got the Bearcats on the board first within the first 30 seconds of the game. McKendree then went on to take a seven point lead, 12-5 five minutes into the first quarter. Maryville was able to fight back and cut the Bearcats' lead to two, 18-16 heading into the second quarter. The Saints took the lead to begin the second quarter but McKendree answered back with a quick six-point run to get back on top. The Bearcats ran away with the lead, taking a 36-26 score heading into halftime.

In the first half, McKendree shot 45 percent from field goal range, 50 percent from behind the three point line, and remained perfect at the free throw line going six for six. The Bearcats were able to hold the Saints to 26.6 percent from field goal range and 30.76 percent from the three point line.

McKendree maintained the lead throughout the entire third quarter and the first five minutes of the fourth quarter until Maryville managed and eight-point unanswered run to take the lead 56-55 over the Bearcats. McKendree recorded a quick three-point basket from Heberg and then back-and-forth play ensued. Mary Barton of the Saints was able to push Maryville to the 69-65 win over McKendree by scoring six straight free throws.

Heberg and senior forward Brianna Johnson (Lodi, WI/Beaver Dam) recorded double-doubles to lead the Bearcats in both scoring and rebounds. Heberg reached her double-double before halftime tallying 14 points and 10 rebounds in the first 20 minutes of play. She went on to finish the game with 26 points and 11 rebounds, which marked a new season best for rebounds for Heberg. Johnson led the team in rebounds while recording her double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

As a team, McKendree was able to capitalize more off of second chance opportunities collecting 21 of its 65 points on second chances while only allowing the Saints to score 15. The Bearcats bench also out-scored Maryville 21-6.

The Bearcats will return home to take on Missouri-St. Louis on Thursday, Feb. 13 for a 5:30 p.m. game.