ST. CHARLES, Mo. - McKendree University women's basketball concluded its season on Thursday night as they fell to Upper Iowa University in the quarterfinal game. The Bearcats end the season 20-9, the best record for the program since joining the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2013-14.  

The Peacocks and Bearcats battled closely until the final minute of the game as McKendree was forced to foul to regain possession. Upper Iowa rose to a 14-point lead and, despite a last effort from McKendree, sealed the victory 79-66.  

McKendree was led in scoring by junior guard Clare Breden who scored just above her average with 18 points; she added five rebounds and four steals. Senior forward Naomi McDaniel and senior guard Erin Golden each chipped in 16 points. McDaniel collected two blocks and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, enough to tally her 1,000th career rebound. Senior guard Christy Fortune snagged seven rebounds for the contest.  

Prior to the contest, head coach Kari Kerkhoff was honored with the GLVC Coach of the Year award and McDaniel was presented with her Defensive Player of the Year award. McDaniel and Breden were honored as members of the All-GLVC First Team while senior guard Madyson Harper received All-GVLC Third Team recognition. Senior guard Maclayne Taylor was honored as the recipient of the GLVC James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award.