Springfield, IL - McKendree University Women's Basketball (3-2, 1-1 GLVC) has a short turnaround, continuing league play on Thursday evening with a 5:30 PM road tilt at the UIS Prairie Stars (3-4, 1-1 GLVC) inside The TRAC. The Bearcats are coming off a dominant 96-50 home win over Rockhurst. They will look to carry that momentum into a matchup with a UIS squad fresh off its first conference victory and one of the nation's most turnover-creating defenses.
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RECAPPING ROCKHURST
McKendree opened the month of December with its most complete performance of the season, overwhelming Rockhurst from the opening tip in the aforementioned 96-50 victory at the Statham Sports Center. The Bearcats exploded for 31 first-quarter points, fueled by transition play, second-chance points, and a turnover-forcing defensive effort that generated 33 points off Hawks miscues.
Baylie Parks delivered a team-leading 20 points to go with seven rebounds, four steals, and a +40 on the floor.
Tessa Crawford added 15 points, while
Kylie Moeller (14 points),
Emma Slings (12), and
Chloe White (12) rounded out a balanced scoring night. McKendree shot 53.8% from the field, dominated the glass with 46 rebounds, and racked up 26 fast break points.
CHECKING IN ON THE BEARCATS
Through five games, McKendree continues to establish a defensive-minded identity while showcasing a balanced scoring attack. The Bearcats average 74.0 points per game while holding opponents to 63.2, producing a +10.8 scoring margin. Their rebounding remains a major separator, owning a 43.6 to 33.8 advantage on the glass and pulling down 15 offensive rebounds per game.
Parks (11.8 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game),
Kyra Taylor (10.6 points per game), White (9.4 points per game), and Crawford (7.6 points per game) lead a roster that has nine players averaging at least five points per game thus far. McKendree also thrives defensively, generating 11.2 steals per game, turning opponents over 18.8 times per game, and holding them to just 38.8% shooting.
Another defining trait in the early going has been depth. 10 different players average at least 9.5 minutes played, allowing McKendree to truly apply their own pace, pressure, and energy throughout all 40 minutes, a formula that certainly can become valuable down the stretch and especially on the short conference turnaround dates.
SCOUTING THE PRAIRIE STARS
UIS enters Thursday riding high after a 75-49 win over William Jewell in which the Prairie Stars forced a staggering 43 turnovers and converted them into 44 points. UIS has been one of the nation's most aggressive defenses in the young season, averaging 12.6 steals per game and thriving off chaos, pressure, and live-ball turnovers.
Offensively, UIS leans heavily on its backcourt pairing of Kennedy Osterman (14.9 points per game, 23 made threes) and Kayla Rice (14 points per game, program-record 11 steals in their last game). Julia Mingus (11.4 points per game) provides an additional scoring punch, and Allysia McDaniel adds size and efficiency inside (6.1 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 50% shooting).
The Prairie Stars shoot a strong 41.6% from three and rely on perimeter production, averaging over 10 threes per game, but they have struggled on the boards, carrying a -5.9 rebounding margin - an area McKendree will try to counter.
UIS plays fast and is at its best when the game becomes up-tempo and turnover-heavy. Limiting their transition chances will be a key storyline.
BEARCAT KEYS TO THE GAME
Control the Glass
McKendree owns nearly a +10 rebounding margin on the season, while UIS sits at -5.9. If the Bearcats dominate the boards, particularly offensively, they can limit UIS's transition game, create second-chance points, and dictate tempo from start to finish.
Protect the Basketball
UIS thrives on defensive pressure, averaging 12.6 steals per game and forcing 43 turnovers against William Jewell. For McKendree, valuing possessions, making clean decisions against that pressure, and avoiding those live-ball turnovers will be crucial to preventing Prairie Star scoring runs.
Win the Paint
The Bearcats had 44 points in the paint against Rockhurst and consistently have been able to generate those high-percentage looks. Attacking downhill, through contact, and using frontcourt depth can counter UIS's perimeter-heavy approach.
Balanced Scoring & Pace
McKendree's strength lies in its depth - four players scored 12+ against Rockhurst. Continuing that balanced approach and wearing down the Prairie Stars can tilt the matchup in McKendree's favor.
