LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University women's basketball concluded its three-game home slate on Thursday evening, falling to Lewis University 79-62. The Bearcats ended the home contests 1-2 with a win over Maryville on Saturday in addition to a setback to UMSL last week. 

Both teams started the game with fiery offenses as McKendree shot 58 percent to Lewis's 47 percent from the field in the first quarter, though the Flyers would end the first 10 minutes of play three points ahead of the Bearcats, 26-23. In the second quarter, McKendree and Lewis shot an identical 5-for-14 from the field, both teams tallying 17 points as the Flyers held the advantage going into the break, 38-35. 

The third quarter challenged McKendree offensively as the Bearcats were held to just six points while the Flyers went on an 11-0 run, surging ahead to a 14-point lead to end the third, 55-41. Although the Bearcats battled back in the fourth quarter, shooting 66 percent for 21 points, the Flyers put up 24 points of their own in the fourth, taking the victory 79-62. 

Leading the Bearcats in double digits were sophomore guard Clare Breden who tallied 15 points and junior forward Naomi McDaniel who recorded 14 points in the contest. Breden, heading into the game averaging 10.1 points for the Bearcats, shot 50 percent from the field and 64 percent from the charity stripe while McDaniel netted 70 percent of shots from the field in addition to snagging eight rebounds. 

Also in double figures was junior guard Erin Golden, netting 10 points for the Bearcats. Golden shot 5-for-7 from the field while tallying a team-high five assists on the night. Junior guard Maclayne Taylor recorded just shy of double digits, scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds. 

The Bearcats, who entered the game hitting 74 percent of free throws, shot just 58 percent from the line while the Flyers netted 81 percent of tries from the free throw line. McKendree outshot the Flyers from the field, 46 percent to 43 percent, though the Flyers would gain the advantage from the three-point line at 43 percent to the Bearcats' 27 percent. 

Lewis's Taylor Gugliuzza was the top scorer on the evening, recording 22 points and six rebounds in the Flyers' victory. 

McKendree continues its season on Saturday afternoon, taking on the University of Indianapolis at Nicoson Hall in a 12 p.m. game.