LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University women's basketball posted a 68-52 win over Ohio Dominican University on Friday night as part of the GLVC/GMAC Crossover Tournament hosted by McKendree. The Bearcats are 1-0 on the season as they prepare to face Ferris State University on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
McKendree came out with momentum that continued for the full 40 minutes of play as the Bearcats held the lead the entire game. After 10 minutes, McKendree rose to a 17-13 lead to end the first quarter. Junior guard Clare Breden accounted for 13 of McKendree's 17 points in the quarter.
The second quarter proved to be the Bearcats' best in scoring, adding 20 points to their total score while shooting 57 percent from the field and extending their lead to 12 by a score of 37-25 at the half. The Panthers were held to another 12-point quarter while the Bearcats climbed to as much as a 21-point lead and ended the third with a score of 54-37. The end result was in favor of McKendree, 68-52.
McKendree showed a strong defensive effort in addition to careful ball control; the Panthers ended the contest with 27 turnovers to the Bearcats' 11. Another part of McKendree's success came via drawing fouls and getting chances at the free throw line, netting a total of 17 free throws to the Panthers' six.
Breden was the leading scorer of the game with 23 points, followed by senior forward Naomi McDaniel who tallied 16 points and senior guard Christy Fortune who netted 12 points. Senior guard Madyson Harper accounted for a team-high six assists and three steals. 11 different Bearcats scored one point or more in the contest.
Up next, McKendree continues the GLVC/GMAC Crossover Tournament with a 7 p.m. game on Nov. 11 against Ferris State.
