Quincy, IL - McKendree University Women's Basketball (1-0, 0-0 GLVC) travels west to Quincy for the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home Classic at Pepsi Arena this weekend, where the Bearcats will take on Purdue Northwest (1-2) on Friday evening at 5PM before facing Missouri Southern State (1-2) on Saturday afternoon at 1PM. The two-day event serves as an early-season measuring stick against non-conference Division-II opponents and gives McKendree a chance to reinforce its defensive identity, test its depth across back-to-back games, and continue building rhythm away from Lebanon before GLVC play begins.
HOW TO FOLLOW - PURDUE NORTHWEST
Date/Time | Friday, November 21st - 5:00 PM CST
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN)
Live Stats (Sidearm Sports)
HOW TO FOLLOW - MISSOURI SOUTHERN STATE
Date/Time | Saturday, November 22nd - 1:00 PM CST
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN)
Live Stats (Sidearm Sports)
RECAPPING HARRIS-STOWE
McKendree opened the regular season with a dominant 80-44 victory over NAIA member Harris-Stowe, using rebounding, bench production, and defensive pressure to seize control early and never let go. The Bearcats finished with a 58-36 edge on the glass, including 18 offensive rebounds that produced 23 second-chance points, while also out-scoring the Hornets 50-22 in the paint and 44-2 off the bench.
Jayce Privia led McKendree with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting,
Kyra Taylor followed with 11 points, and
Taylor Fohey added eight points and a team-high eight rebounds. McKendree forced 18 turnovers, led Harris-Stowe to 23.8% shooting from the field and 14.3% from three-point range, and used an 18-0 run bridging the second and third quarters to turn a manageable lead into complete separation.
CHECKING IN ON THE BEARCATS
Through one game, McKendree has placed itself near the top of the Great Lakes Valley Conference in multiple statistical categories. The Bearcats currently lead the league in opponent field goal percentage at 23.8%, rebounds per game at 58.0, and rebounding margin at +22.0 per game, while also ranking near the top in scoring defense at 44.0 points allowed per game and assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.17. On a national level, McKendree currently appears among the leaders in Division-II for rebounds per game, rebounding margin, and field goal percentage defense.
SCOUTING PURDUE NORTHWEST
The Pride enter the weekend with a (1-2) record, and is built around perimeter scoring and guard play. Alyssa Cole leads Purdue Northwest at 15.3 points per game while also pulling down 7.7 rebounds per game and shooting 60% from the field. Ciara Sims adds 13.3 points per game and has connected on 40% of her three-point attempts. Cameryn Phillips provides another key perimeter weapon, averaging 11.0 points per game while making more than 56% of her threes and leading the team with 11 assists. As a team, the Pride are shooting 37% from three-point range, but allowing opponents to shoot over 44% both overall and from beyond the arc, contributing to a negative margin through three games. Purdue Northwest also went for a unique and tough preseason slate, battling Big Ten member Purdue and ACC member Notre Dame, the latter of which is ranked 24th in the latest Associated Press Division-I rankings.
SCOUTING MISSOURI SOUTHERN STATE
The Lions bring a different challenge, centered around interior production and the dominant play of Ashlyn Alloway. Alloway is averaging 23.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game while shooting 57.5% from the field and living at the free throw line. Grace Frazier provides a strong secondary scoring and playmaking presence with 15.7 points per game while also leading the team in assists and steals. Makenna Yokley adds six rebounds per game in the frontcourt, while Nariah Clay has emerged as a defensive disruptor with seven steals. As a team, Missouri Southern State is averaging nearly 72 points per game, but shooting just 22% from three-point range and being out-rebounded by 4.3 boards per game, reflecting their heavy reliance on interior scoring and efforts on the glass.
BEARCAT KEYS TO THE GAMES
Control the Glass
McKendree must continue its rebounding dominance. Missouri Southern State has been out-rebounded on the season, and second-chance points are a major part of their offense through Alloway.
Defend the Perimeter
Against Purdue Northwest, the Bearcats must close out aggressively on Alyssa Cole, Ciara Sims, and Cameryn Phillips, who account for a large portion of the Pride's perimeter scoring and three-point production.
Contain Ashlyn Alloway
Alloway is Missouri Southern State's offensive engine. Making her catch away from the block and forcing difficult touches will be critical to limiting her production.
Win the Paint
McKendree produced 50 points in the paint against Harris-Stowe and needs to continue establishing interior scoring against both opponents, who have shown defensive vulnerability inside.
Use Depth Across Two Days
With two games in two days, McKendree's depth advantage must show through again after its bench outscored Harris-Stowe 44-2 in the opener.
