Quincy, IL - McKendree University Women's Basketball (2-0, 0-0 GLVC) closed out a gritty non-conference win over Purdue Northwest (1-3), 78-72, on Friday night at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home Classic inside Pepsi Arena in Quincy. After trailing by three at halftime, the Bearcats flipped the game with defensive pressure and transition scoring in the third quarter, then weathered a late shooting surge from the Pride by executing at the free-throw line in the final minute. A balanced effort led by Kyra Taylor, Chloe White, Baylie Parks, and Morgan Feil powered McKendree through swings on both ends of the floor and secured a hard-fought early-season victory.

McKendree came out aggressive, with Taylor drawing three early fouls and knocking down four straight free throws to put the Bearcats up 4-0. Madison Johnson added pressure defensively with a steal, and Taylor controlled the glass with multiple rebounds on both ends. Purdue Northwest eventually settled in behind transition buckets, but McKendree stayed within striking distance as White hit a pair of shots off turnovers and Parks finished inside. A late Pride three gave them a small edge, sending the Bearcats into the break trailing 17-14 after a physical, high-energy opening quarter. 

The Bearcats opened the second quarter with a momentum play from Parks, who intercepted a pass and converted the fast-break layup to cut it to one. Taylor followed with another transition score to briefly give McKendree the lead before Purdue Northwest responded with second-chance opportunities and pushed their margin to seven. McKendree countered with strong interior play from Feil and Kylie Moeller, while Taylor continued to attack the paint for two more finishes. Late in the half, Tessa Crawford buried a key three and White calmly knocked down four free throws in the final 33 seconds, but a last-second Purdue Northwest triple allowed the Pride to carry a 37-35 lead into halftime. 

McKendree seized control after the break with defense and transition play. Emma Slings converted a fast-break layup and free throw to keep things tight before White picked up back-to-back steals, leading to a coast-to-coast finish by Taylor that put the Bearcats in front. Taylor added a block and several defensive rebounds to anchor the interior, while Maliah Sparks came off the bench to ignite the crowd with a steal and layup. Parks added another transition bucket off a turnover, and White dominated late with offensive boards and second-chance scoring as McKendree took a 55-49 lead into the final quarter. 

The Bearcats opened the fourth with purpose as Feil finished inside, picked up a steal, and swatted a shot to help extend the lead to eight. After Purdue Northwest trimmed the margin with outside shooting, Taylor responded at the foul line and Johnson added a timely driving layup. Midway through the quarter, Taylor Fohey delivered a spark with a basket, steal, and assist to Moeller for a fast-break layup that pushed the lead to nine. Purdue Northwest made another late push with contested threes, but Parks and Slings iced the game at the free-throw line in the closing seconds to secure the 78-72 victory. 

BEARCAT NOTABLES
Chloe White | 34 minutes, 18 points, 6-10 field goals, 2-4 three-pointers, 4-4 free throws, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals
Kyra Taylor | 29 minutes, 15 points, 7-8 free throws, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Baylie Parks | 17 minutes, 14 points, 5-6 field goals, 4-4 free throws, 8 rebounds, 2 assists
Taylor Fohey | 10 minutes, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, +7

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
Hansen-Spear Funeral Home Classic
vs. Missouri Southern State Lions (2-2)
Saturday, November 22nd - 1:00 PM CST
at Pepsi Arena - Quincy, Illinois
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN)
Live Stats (Sidearm Sports)