LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University women's basketball secured another win at home Saturday against William Jewell College. The Bearcats improved to 6-2 on the year and 4-0 in the conference with the 71-66 win.

McKendree led the first quarter 24-17, with the help of senior guard Christy Fortune knocking down three three-pointers. At the half, the Bearcats kept the lead with a score of 40-39 after 20 minutes of
play.

The offense slowed down for both teams in the third quarter as McKendree scored 13 points and the Cardinals scored 11 points, making the score 53-50 going into the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, it was a close game but with 27 seconds left, senior guard Erin Golden hit a jumper making the score 69-66. Senior guard Madyson Harper sinked in two free throws in the final seconds making the final score 71-66, McKendree coming on top.

The Bearcats were led in scoring and rebounds by senior forward Naomi McDaniel, scoring 22 points and snatching nine rebounds. McDaniel shot 9-for-12 from the field going 75% and went four for five from the free throw line. Also helping McKendree on the offense side in double-digit scoring was Harper with 12 points, Fortune with 11 points, and junior guard Clare Breden with 10 points.

Senior guard Maclayne Taylor helped lead the Bearcats in rebounds along with McDaniel with nine rebounds each. Harper grabbed eight and freshman forward Baylie Parks snatched down six to help McKendree in boards.

As a team, the Bearcats shot 44.4% from the field and 46.7% from the three-point line going 7-for-15. McKendree notched in a total of 44 rebounds and 14 second-chance points. The Bearcats gained momentum from the bench with 15 bench points.

Up next, McKendree travels to Springfield, Ill. to face off against the University of Illinois Springfield at 5:30 p.m. next Thursday, December 7th.