BOLIVAR, Mo. – McKendree University women's basketball dropped a Great Lakes Valley Conference contest at Southwest Baptist on Thursday evening as the host SBU Bearcats defeated the McKendree Bearcats 78-66. McKendree moves to 10-12 on the season and 7-8 in the conference as they prepare to take on Rockhurst on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Kansas City, Mo.

Southwest Baptist used its home court to its advantage, tallying 26 points and shooting 66 percent in the first quarter as McKendree shot 35 percent for 15 points to begin the contest. SBU cooled down in the second quarter with a 23 percent field goal percentage while McKendree was able to win the score battle 13-10. At the end of the half, SBU held an eight-point advantage, 36-28.

SBU wouldn't stay iced for long as they extended their lead to as they scored 23 points in the third quarter. At the beginning of the fourth period of play, McKendree trailed as much as 20 points but refused to back down. McKendree battled back within nine of SBU with three minutes left in the contest. Despite a 24-point fourth quarter, McKendree could not overcome the lead by SBU, resulting in a score of 78-66 in favor of Southwest Baptist.

McKendree was led by three players in double figures including sophomore Clare Breden with a season-high 20 points and a game-high five steals. Junior forward Naomi McDaniel tallied 18 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks while junior guard Christy Fortune rounded out the double-digit scoring for McKendree with 12 points from four three-pointers and six rebounds.

Overall, McKendree shot 40.6 percent from the field (25-of-64), 31.6 percent from beyond the arc (6-of-19), and 66.7 percent from the free throw line (8-of-12).
McKendree was plagued by SBU's tenacious rebounding effort as Southwest Baptist collected 41 rebounds to McKendree's 22 on the night. However, McKendree would win the battle of turnovers with just 13 to SBU's 16.

In conference standings, McKendree still ranks seventh with its 7-8 GLVC record while Southwest Baptist is tied with Quincy for ninth at a 6-9 GLVC mark as the league is less than a month away from its conference tournament which will feature the top eight teams in the GLVC.

Southwest Baptist improves to 12-11 on the season with a 6-9 record in the GLVC following the victory. SBU was led by sophomore guard Kelsey Blakemore with 22 points and junior center Tori Hamilton with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore forward Claudia Vanzant also tallied a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

On Saturday, McKendree looks to bounce back with a win at Rockhurst as the two teams meet for the second time this season.