Springfield, IL - The McKendree University Women's Basketball team picked up a hard-fought GLVC road win on Thursday night, holding off a late surge from the UIS Prairie Stars (3-5, 1-2 GLVC) at The TRAC. The Bearcats (4-2, 2-1 GLVC) controlled large stretches of the game with defense, timely scoring, and rebounding. UIS rallied late and even had the lead at one point, but McKendree executed the final possessions, including one last stop after 0.6 seconds were added to the clock, and closed out the 68-66 victory in the state capital.
McKendree opened the game with stretches of strong defense and crashing the boards, grabbing multiple second-chance opportunities on the opening possessions before they were finally able to capitalize by way of a
Kyra Taylor bucket.
Chloe White and
Baylie Parks helped generate an early spark, and
Tessa Crawford got off to a hot-shooting start from all levels and carried the offense midway through the frame. Crawford drilled three first-quarter threes and reached double figures before the opening quarter could finish, while
Emma Slings dished out four assists in the first quarter as well. UIS, to be expected, did its best to counter with its reputable three-point shooting, but McKendree maintained a narrow 22-21 lead after 10 minutes.
The Bearcats continued to push the tempo and extend their possessions early in the quarter, with Parks opening the quarter from deep and Crawford maintaining pace with five straight points at the charity stripe. Back-to-back fast break finishes from Crawford and Taylor stretched the margin, and McKendree was able to capitalize on a long stretch of UIS turnovers to build momentum. The Prairie Stars, however, battled back, getting second-chance scoring. The Bearcats leaned on Parks and Crawford once again - Parks converting in transition and Crawford burying another pair of threes late in the quarter. After 20 minutes, McKendree led 41-37, and Crawford already had a career-high 21 points.
UIS struck first out of the halftime locker room with the three-pointers, but the Bearcats were able to respond quickly. After defensive stops by Parks and Crawford, McKendree began to swell the lead. With layups from White and then from Crawford, it appeared as if the Bearcats had a hold on this game. Even on the defensive side, McKendree had gone back to their ability to force takeaways, and briefly led by 10 points before UIS cut it back to 56-48 before the quarter break.
The Prairie Stars came out in the fourth quarter with one last big push, cutting the margin all the way down to one possession behind more of their perimeter offense. The Bearcats, though, answered again: Parks, Taylor, and White to name a few. The margin would remain close, but buckets from that trio kept the lead in tact. UIS tied the game at 65-65 with just over two minutes to go, but McKendree stayed the course. Parks hit what would end up being the game-winning layup with 1:04 left, and White iced it at the free throw line with 10.5 seconds to go.
After another timeout, all of 1.4 more seconds off the clock, the ball was inbounded - but without the second horn from the timeout. Played continued and the clock eventually hit 0.0 without a Prairie Stars game-winner. Alas, after a review, 0.6 seconds were added back to the clock, and McKendree would need to make one final stop.
Kyra Taylor stood tall, and although it took two takes, the Bearcats still secured the narrow two-point win.
MCKENDREE STAT LEADERS
Tessa Crawford | 23 points (career high), 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 8-15 FGs, 4-8 3's, 3-4 Free Throws
Baylie Parks | double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds), 6-7 FGs, 1-2 3's
Chloe White | 16 points, 4 steals, 2 3's
BEARCAT TEAM STATS
40.3% field goals (25-of-62)
84.6% free throws (11-of-13)
17 offensive rebounds
Fast Break Points | 11-0 McKendree
Points off Turnovers | McKendree 24, UIS 18
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
vs. Davenport Panthers (0-6, 0-1 GLIAC)
Saturday, December 13th - 1:00 PM
at Statham Center - Lebanon, IL
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN)
Live Stats (Sidearm Sports)
Tickets (University Tickets)
