QUINCY, Ill. - The women's basketball team eked out a tough one at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home Classic against Washburn University on Friday, November 15th, at the Pepsi Arena in Quincy, Illinois.
Score: McKendree University 88, Washburn University 83
Record: Bearcats 2-0, 0-0 GLVC | Ichabods 0-3, 0-0 MIAA
HOW IT HAPPENED
In a neutral-site matchup, Washburn jumped out to an early 4-2 lead in what would look to be a competitive matchup. After a successful layup inside, McKendree sophomore forward Baylie Parks (Lake Zurich, Ill.) would knock down a three-point shot two minutes in to give her squad their first lead of the game two minutes into action. Junior center Yiibari Nwidadah and junior guard Gabi Giovannetti would combine for 11 of the Ichabods' 19 points in the first quarter, but they could not match the energy of Parks, who dropped in 10 points herself in the last eight minutes of the period and gave the Bearcats a 25-19 lead.
Washburn was able to close the gap in the second quarter, where eight different Ichabods scored at least a point. The Quincy, Illinois native, forward Taylor Fohey, helped keep McKendree afloat with three buckets that accounted for six points as the Bearcats would be up by a slight margin of 45-41 going into halftime.
Nwidadah did not skip a beat coming out of the half, converting on back-to-back layups to tie the game at 45. Junior Bearcat guard Georgia Duncan (Washington, Ill.) would answer on a made three-pointer to give her team the edge once more. Two minutes later Giovannetti would go on a little five-point spurt to regain the lead for the time being. Style of play was a bit more physical down the stretch as the majority of points in the rest of the period came from the charity stripe with a notable exception of a made shot from distance by sophomore guard Emma Slings (Polk City, Iowa) to give McKendree a 10-point lead as they would find themselves up 66-60 heading into the final quarter.
Trying to make a final push for a comeback, the Ichabods could not contain Parks and her seven points in the fourth period of play, along with a quad of clutch free throws from Slings and senior guard Clare Breden (Jerseyville, Ill.) to pull out a win for the Bearcats, 88-83.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
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In a second straight outing, Parks has notched her career-high for points in a game, this time with 22 on 10-18 shooting and 2-3 from distance while pulling down 10 boards for her first career double-double.
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Breden had a quiet yet impactful performance with 25, as 16 of them came from the free throw line. She also had six assists, six rebounds, and two steals to support a strong all-around performance. Her 16 made and 20 attempted charity baskets are a program NCAA Division II record.
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Washburn had four double-digit scorers in the loss, with most notably being Giovannetti and Nwidadah with the former having 19 points, five rebounds, four steals, and three blocks. The latter had 18 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks as well.
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The Bearcats shot 48.4% from the field, 29.4% from distance, and 77.8% from the stripe while the Ichabods ended with 45.6%, 23.3%, and 70.0% respectively.
UP NEXT
McKendree will be back in action tomorrow when they face Roosevelt University for day two of the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home Classic at the Pepsi Arena in Quincy, Illinois with tip-off set for 1:00 PM CT.
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