(KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Feb.4) – The McKendree University women's basketball team had their second contest of the season with Rockhurst Thursday night, this time on the road. The Bearcats fought their way back from a slow start to break their four-game losing streak, for the 62-55 win.

McKendree would match the fast-paced energy of Rockhurst to open the game. Though they would trail by five in the first few minutes, the Bearcats continued to keep their defense from letting Rockhurst get too much of a lead. A drive under the net by Callie Pohlman (Appleton, WI/Appleton North) would tie the game at 22 with 5:37 to go before halftime. McKendree would take the lead after Sydney Diekhoff (Pekin, IL/Pekin Community) (Pekin, IL/Pekin Community) would hit back-to-back three-pointers with under four minutes left in the second quarter. McKendree used smart passing and good team communication to build up to a 36-24 lead heading into halftime. Christy Fortune's (Appleton, WI/Appleton West) drive under the net would keep McKendree at a one-point lead heading into the final quarter. The execution of their offense was a crucial part in the Bearcats maintaining the control of the game. McKendree shot 42.0 percent form the floor, 26.7 percent from the arc, and 69.6 percent from the line.

Sydney Diekhoff (Pekin, IL/Pekin Community) (Pekin, IL/Pekin Community) tallies 14 points for the Bearcats in the victory, going 30.8 percent from the field and 4-for-5 in free throw attempts. Christy Fortune (Appleton, WI/Appleton West) added 10 points for her team, shooting 36.4 percent from the field and going 2-for-2 in free throw attempts. Callie Pohlman (Appleton, WI/Appleton North) and Jenna Krause (Seymour, WI/Seymour) were right behind with nine points each. Pohlman going 4-for-6 from the floor and 50.0 percent from the line. Krause went 50.0 percent from both the floor and beyond the arc.

Rockhurst wanted to open the game with fire and energy and they executed by getting on the board first. Through the first quarter, Rockhurst would capitalize on McKendree turnovers and their sinking three-point shots. Whenever Rockhurst would land a bucket, they would see the Bearcats become more frantic trying to answer back. Rockhurst would cut their deficit from 12 points, down to one with two minutes left in the third quarter. Their offense in the fourth quarter was shut down by the Bearcats, being limited to a 14.3 shooting percentage and committed 20 turnovers.

The top leaders for Rockhurst were led by Daly Sullivan, who was the only Hawks in double figures. She recorded 16 points for her team, going 6-for-10 from the floor, 50.0 percent from the arc, and 1-for-1 in free throws.

Kari Kerkhoff and her team will be back on the road for their next contest. McKendree will travel to Bolivar, Mo., to see Southwest Baptist University on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 1:00 PM in the Meyer Sports Center.