MACOMB, Ill. - The women's basketball team started out solid but lost their pace of play in the second half against NCAA Division I Western Illinois University in an exhibition match on Thursday, October 24th at Western Hall in Macomb, Illinois.

Score: McKendree University 49, Western Illinois University 78 

Record: Bearcats 0-0, 0-0 GLVC | Leathernecks 0-0, 0-0 OVC 

HOW IT HAPPENED

McKendree stepped onto the floor with high confidence, nailing the game's first eight points including back-to-back buckets from sophomore forward Baylie Parks (Lake Zurich, Ill.). Western Illinois pulled out a two-woman nine-point run to answer the hot start with junior guard Addie Brownfield starting her team off with an easy layup, followed by a sunken three-pointer to pull within four. Teammate junior forward Mia Nicastro got herself inside as well for a layup and connected on a mid-range jumper a couple minutes later. 

After a good layup by Bearcat freshman guard Olivia Corson (Normal, Ill.), the Leathernecks tacked on four more points inside the ark from returning leading scorer, sophomore guard Raegan McCowan  to build their lead. Parks would continue to shine by driving into the paint to earn herself another layup, making it six points in the first period. Western Illinois would put in two free throws with 27 seconds remaining to end the first quarter up narrowly 15-12. 

Down but not out in the second quarter, McKendree junior guard Georgia Duncan (Washington, Ill.) got herself on the board with a physical layup but was answered by a Nicastro three moments later. Parks would carry momentum into the new period with another layup and cutting the deficit to one point. The Bearcats regained the lead with a netted-in three-pointer from junior guard Chloe White (Brussles, Ill.) to put them up two. 

A three-minute dry spell for both sides was affecting the rhythm for a short amount of time until the Leathernecks were able to close out the first half by sailing in nine straight points that was initiated by Brownfield and her second three-pointer of the match and was capped off by back-to-back layups from senior forward Jasmine Nichols. Western Illinois would lead at halftime 26-19. 

The Leathernecks started the second half on a tear with McCowan connecting on three straight shots for six points as Brownfield contributed to the opening run with a layup to put their team up with a comfortable 15-point lead. Reigning All-GLVC First Team selection, senior guard Clare Breden (Jerseyville, Ill.) notched in a free throw and a mid-range jumper for the Bearcats while Western Illinois put in five points of their own. 

The home squad Leathernecks wheeled in five more points after a three from junior guard Allie Meadows. White, Parks, and freshman guard Tessa Crawford (Jerseyville, Ill.) sparked a 7-2 run in mid-third quarter to close the gap to 16. Crawford would stay hot in the final minutes by connecting on four points for McKendree while McCowan kept things steady for her squad by putting in another four points. 

Not allowing any comebacks to come into fruition, Western Illinois fifth-year forward Kennedy Flanagan drove in a couple of layups to enhance the lead. A couple of two-pointers from Crawford and freshman guard Morgan Feil (Chicago, Ill.), followed by a three-point shot from White kept the Bearcats in the game, but the Leathernecks would embark on a 13-7 run to make things harder for the visitors. Crawford would remain strong in the final minutes of regulation by sinking in two three-pointers as Western Illinois would stay true with getting in 11 more points to seal the win 78-49. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Crawford led the Bearcats in scoring with fifteen points, as nine of them came in the fourth quarter. She was 5-9 from the floor and 2-4 from behind the arc. 

• White was also a big factor for McKendree by chipping in 11 points by going 2-3 from three, along with garnering four rebounds, two steals, and an assist. 

• McCowan showed flashes of what she had in store last season, as she ended the game close to her average with 19 points, along with nine boards, an assist, and a block. Brownfield contributed 13 points on the night, going 3-4 from three-point range as well asl swiping three steals. 

• The Bearcats shot 34.6% from the floor and 23.5% from the arc while the Leathernecks connected on 49.2% and 37.5% respectively. 

• Western Illinois had only a slight advantage in bench points with a 24-21 advantage on the win. 

• The Leathernecks also lead in total points in the paint with 38, while the Bearcats put in a solid 24. 

UP NEXT

McKendree will play another exhibition game on Friday, November 1st when they host Eureka College at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center, with tipoff set to begin at 1:30 PM CDT. The regular season will begin on Friday, November 8th. 

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