(LEBANON, Ill. – Feb. 11) – The McKendree University women's basketball team hosted their first Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) rival of the week, with Drury Thursday night. The Bearcats started out strong, but Drury would work their way back for the 91-76 win.

McKendree played very close basketball with Drury right from the start. The Bearcats established an early four-point lead before the Panthers would get on the board, seven and a half minutes into the quarter. the difference between the two teams would be one point after the first quarter. Fouls and turnovers in the second quarter affected the Bearcats' momentum, which reflected in their performance. Heading into halftime, Drury would hold a 45-39 lead. Drury got hot in the third quarter and extending their lead to as many as 15. A buzzer-beater by Clare Breden (Jerseyville, IL/Jerseyville Community) would put the Bearcats only down by nine heading into the final frame. Drury would hold onto their lead and take the game, 91-76.

The Bearcats were led by Sydney Diekhoff (Pekin, IL/Pekin Community), who went 5-for-12 from the field and tallied 17 points. Erin Stroberg (Rockford, IL/Rockford East) was right behind with a season-high 16 points, going 7-for-8 from the field and 50.0 percent from the free throw line. Erin Golden (Batavia, IL/Batavia) was the final Bearcat in double-figures, also with a season-high 12 points. Golden went 3-for-6 from the field, 2-for-3 from the arc, and 4-for-5 from the free throw line.

Kari Kerkoff and her team will be back in the Harry M. Statham Sports Center on Saturday, Feb. 13. McKendree and Missouri S&T will top-off at 2:00 PM, followed by the Class of 2021 senior recognition.