QUINCY, Ill. - McKendree University women's basketball continues its 2023-2024 campaign this coming weekend at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home Classic hosted by Quincy University in Pepsi Arena.

McKendree begins tournament play on Friday, November 17 at 5 p.m. against Washburn University before facing Hillsdale College on Saturday, November 18 at 1 p.m.

The Bearcats head into the weekend with a 1-1 record following two games last weekend at the GLVC/GMAC Crossover hosted by McKendree. Opening their 2023-24 season, the Bearcats defeated Ohio Dominican University 68-52 but fell short to Ferris State 77-51.

ABOUT THE BEARCATS
Leading the way offensively through the first two games is junior guard Clare Breden averaging 21.0 points per game with a .667 field-goal percentage and .600 three-point percentage on the season. In addition to Breden, senior forward Naomi McDaniel is averaging 10.0 points per game with a field-goal percentage of .529, while senior guard Chirsty Fortune averaged 6.0 points per game across the two contests for the Bearcats.

On the boards, McKendree has been led by Fortune and senior guard Maclayne Taylor with 4.0 rebounds per game each. McDaniel has grabbed 2.5 rebounds per game so far.

As a team, the Bearcats currently average 59.5 points per game while also posting 8.0 steals per game.

ABOUT WASHBURN UNIVERSITY
Washburn University has started the 2023-24 season going 1-1 after competing in the Central Region Crossover. The Ichabods were defeated by Southwestern Oklahoma State University 63-58 but turned things around in the second game defeating Oklahoma Baptist University 69-54. 

Leading the way offensively for the Ichabods is senior guard Aubree Dewey averaging 14.0 points per game, sophomore center Yiibari Nwidadah with 13.5 points per game, and sophomore guard Aniah Wayne with 12.5 points per game. On the boards, Nwidadah averages 14.5 rebounds per game and Dewey grabs 5.0 rebounds per game. As a team, the Ichabods are currently averaging 63.5 points per game and 5.0 steals per game. 

Friday's game will be McKendree's and Washburn's first-ever match-up in program history.

ABOUT HILLSDALE COLLEGE
Hillsdale College has started their 2023-24 season going 0-2 after competing in the Purdue Northwest Crossover. The Chargers were defeated by Purdue Northwest 62-58 and Illinois-Springfield 82-58.

Topping the scoring column for Washburn is junior guard Caitlin Splain with 13.5 points per game and senior forward Sydney Mills with 13.0 points per game and a .500 field-goal percentage. For rebounding, Mills has averaged 7.0 rebounds per game while junior guard Lauren McDonald, junior guard Kendall McCormick, and senior center Ashley Konkle each averaged 5.0 rebounds per game. As a team, the Chargers are averaging 58.0 points per game and 6.5 steals per game.

This will be the Bearcats and the Charger's fifth match-up in program history and the last time the two met was in 2016.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 17
McKendree vs. Washburn - 5 p.m.
Quincy vs. Hillsdale - 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 18
McKendree vs. Hillsdale - 1 p.m.
Quincy vs. Washburn - 3 p.m.

Live stream video for the games is available via pay-per-view on glvcsn.com/quincy.