Lebanon, IL - McKendree University Women's Basketball was back in the comforts of the Statham Sports Center on Monday night, as they tipped off their December slate by hosting the Rockhurst Hawks (3-3, 0-2 GLVC) in the first GLVC home game of the new season. Mckendree (3-2, 1-1 GLVC) raced past the Hawks for a 96-50 win. The Bearcats controlled every phase from the opening tip, using swarming defense, efficient transition play, and a balanced, high-powered scoring attack to come away with the 46-point conference win. 

The Bearcats wasted no time setting the tone, striking for an early burst sparked by Chloe White, Baylie Parks, and Tessa Crawford. White opened the scoring on a second-chance layup before Parks buried a transition three to push McKendree ahead 5-0. Crawford and Parks would continued to attack downhill, combining for multiple layups as the lead quickly ballooned. The Bearcats owned the glass, extended possessions, and turn nine Rockhurst turnovers into seemingly constant points. By the time Madison Johnson and Parks connected on free throw opportunities and fast break chances, McKendree had already built a 31-8 advantage after 10 minutes. 

Momentum would never waver, as Kylie Moeller ignited the second quarter with a trey and a fast-break layup to start things with a 5-0 run and a 36-8 lead. Johnson added defensive pressure with a steal that set up more chances in transition, while Kyra Taylor and Jayce Privia scored in the paint to keep Rockhurst on their heels. Parks, Crawford, and Taylor Fohey continued to pile on with more second chance tries off of a solid rebounding effort, plus Parks' finishes around the rim highlighted another impressive offensive showing, this time 27 points in the quarter. When Taylor capped the half's scoring with a lay-in, McKendree would take a 58-24 lead into the locker room. 

McKendree stayed sharp coming out of halftime, as Crawford drilled a three on the first possession before White added a layup. Parks and Emma Slings kept attacking, Slings with a three and some shots inside. Rockhurst briefly responded with a few perimeter makes, but the Bearcats' depth and their tempo were both collectively too much. Moeller added buckets of her own before the quarter came to an end, and the Bearcats held a cushion of 72-39 headed into the final frame.

Slings started the fourth with a three courtesy of a Taylor offensive rebound, setting the tone for a finishing stretch that may just have had McKendree thinking of scoring 100+ points in a GLVC game for the first time ever (GLVC league games record is 99 - achieved twice). White converted off of another turnover moments later, and Parks wrapped up her stat-sheet-stuffing night with a pair of steals, rebounds, and fighting through contact. Fohey and Hannah Fenton chipped in some scores, Moeller hit a couple of free throws late. McKendree closed the game on a 24-11 run, sealing the 46-point victory. 

BEARCAT LEADERS
Baylie Parks | 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists, +40
Tessa Crawford | 15 points, 3 rebounds
Kylie Moeller | 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Emma Slings | 12 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, +35
Chloe White | 12 points, 4 steals, 2 rebounds

NOTABLE BEARCAT TEAM STATS
33 Points off Turnovers
26 Fast Break Points
44 Points in the Paint
46 Rebounds (15 offensive)
53.8% field goal shooting (35-of-68)

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
@ UIS Prairie Stars (3-4, 1-1 GLVC)
Thursday, December 4th - 5:30 PM
The TRAC - Springfield, Illinois
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN)
Live Stats (Sidearm Sports)
Tickets (Hometown Ticketing)