St. Louis, MO - McKendree University Women's Basketball (2-1, 0-0 GLVC) heads across the Mississippi River for another chapter in its long-running GLVC rivalry with Maryville, tipping off on Tuesday at 5:15 PM inside Moloney Arena in St. Louis, Missouri. It's a matchup that has delivered tight margins and physical basketball for two decades, with Maryville holding a 13-8 series edge in the 21 meetings since 2005. The Saints enter having sharpened their edge through a strong slate of SEC and Big Ten exhibitions and early non-conference tests, while the Bearcats arrive battle-tested after an opening stretch designed to prepare them for the grind of league play. When these two have met, it seems as if comfort is never part of the equation.
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RECAPPING MISSOURI SOUTHERN STATE
McKendree last took the floor all of two days ago against Missouri Southern State over at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home Classic, where the Bearcats ran into a team that consistently turned defensive pressure into tempo. Despite the final score, there were encouraging individual performances that carried into preparation for Maryville.
Kyra Taylor continued to establish herself as this season's primary scorer, getting to the rim and free throw line with physicality, while
Baylie Parks controlled stretches of the game with her efforts on the glass and in the paint. On the perimeter,
Chloe White and
Emma Slings handled sustained ball pressure and helped keep the offense organized under duress, while
Tessa Crawford set the team's new game-high in three-pointers made with three (3-of-6 shooting).
CHECKING IN ON THE BEARCATS
Through three games, McKendree sits with an early statistical profile that is built on physicality, rebounding, and efficiency at the line. The Bearcats are scoring 75.0 points per game, currently among the top marks in the GLVC, while owning a +7.7 scoring margin. Inside, McKendree leads the conference in rebounding margin (+8.3) and ranks near the top at 43.0 rebounds per game, establishing consistent control of the paint at both ends.
Efficiency has also become an early calling card. The Bearcats are shooting 81.1% at the free throw line, best in the league, while limiting opponents to 39.0% shooting from the floor. Although the perimeter shooting is still developing, McKendree has been effective by consistently attacking downhill and generating trips to the stripe, averaging 20 free throw attempts per game.
Kyra Taylor continues to lead the team, now at 14.0 points per game, providing a steady interior scoring option and defensive presence.
Baylie Parks has added 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while
Chloe White continues to be a stabilizing guard with 10.0 points per game and strong two-way production. Support from
Emma Slings,
Tessa Crawford,
Morgan Feil,
Taylor Fohey, and others has added balance as rotations begin to solidify themselves.
SCOUTING MARYVILLE
Maryville enters with a 4-1 record, getting wins over Wisconsin-Parkside, Roosevelt, Hannibal-LaGrange, and Winona State, with its lone loss coming against nationally-ranked Concordia-St. Paul. The Saints are averaging 67.4 points per game while allowing just 51.8, one of the stronger defensive starts in the league. Ball pressure is a major part of their identity, as they are forcing 21.6 turnovers per game, often converting those into quick offense.
Offensively, Maryville spaces the floor around guard play and perimeter shooting, hitting 32.5% from three and making over eight threes per game. Lindsey Schadewalt leads the Saints at 13.6 points per game and is shooting 50% from beyond the arc, while Claire Lueken has been efficient around the rim and at the free throw line. Alicia Burgos provides size and physicality inside, anchoring their post play and rim protection.
BEARCAT KEYS TO THE GAME
Rebounding Control
McKendree's +8.3 rebounding margin must continue against a Maryville team currently being out-rebounded this season. Extra possessions could swing momentum.
Ball Security
Maryville forces over 21 turnovers per game. Limiting live-ball turnovers and playing through pressure will be critical for McKendree.
Free Throw Efficiency
The Bearcats are shooting 81.1% at the line. Converting at that rate while continuing to attack the paint could create separation in a tight game.
Three-Point Defense
Maryville makes more than eight threes per game. Disciplined closeouts and defending off the ball will be vital to limit their perimeter rhythm.
