Lebanon, IL - The McKendree University Women's Basketball team was back home at the Statham Sports Center on Thursday night, taking on the Southwest Baptist Bearcats in an all-Bearcat, all-purple battle to start the weekend slate. McKendree (9-5, 6-2 GLVC) charged out to an early lead and never looked back, leading for all but 53 seconds of the game (when it was 0-0), winning the rebounding battle over SBU (5-9, 2-6 GLVC) by 33, points in the paint by 26, and drawing 22 free throw attempts on their way to a fourth consecutive GLVC victory, this one coming by a 74-46 final margin.
McKendree set the tone early in the opening quarter, scoring the first 13 points of the game and controlling the paint on both ends.
Baylie Parks and
Kyra Taylor powered the early surge with second-chance finishes, as McKendree dominated the offensive glass while also getting points off turnovers. Taylor was especially active, scoring multiple putbacks and finishing through contact to push the lead to double digits before the first media timeout came. Southwest Baptist struggled to find rhythm early. McKendree continued to apply pressure, mixing in fast-break opportunities and strong play inside to maintain control. Despite a brief response from SBU late in the quarter, McKendree closed strong behind continued rebounding and interior scoring, ending the first quarter with a 21-12 lead.
McKendree continued its momentum in the second quarter, quickly extending the lead behind strong play inside and transition offense. Taylor opened the quarter with a three-point play and remained a force on both ends, while
Emma Slings knocked down multiple three-pointers to spark fast-break runs. McKendree capitalized on turnovers, turning steals from Slings,
Madison Johnson, and
Hannah Fenton into easy points, including back-to-back fast-break finishes that pushed the advantage past 20. McKendree's defensive pressure continued to disrupt Southwest Baptist's rhythm, forcing hurried passes and limiting second-chance opportunities. Midway through the quarter,
Morgan Feil provided a boost off the bench with points in transition and at the free throw line, as the lead grew to as many as 26. Southwest Baptist found some late offense, but McKendree controlled the glass and pace throughout the quarter, heading into halftime with a commanding 42-22 lead.
McKendree came out of halftime with the same intensity, quickly rebuilding momentum behind strong defensive pressure and efficiency inside. Taylor anchored the quarter with more strong plays in the paint, scoring repeatedly on finishes at the rim while also cleaning the glass and creating even more transition chances. Johnson sparked the offense with jumpers and fast-break finishes, as McKendree forced more miscues and converted them into points. Parks added key second chance buckets, while Taylor capped a dominant stretch with a pair of free throws and consecutive layups to push the lead over 30 points. Southwest Baptist found some success late in the quarter with transition scoring of their own, but McKendree didn't stray from what had gotten them to this point. McKendree entered the fourth quarter firmly in control, holding a 62-40 lead.
McKendree closed out the game with a composed and physical fourth quarter, maintaining control through strong rebounding and defense. McKendree limited Southwest Baptist's opportunities early, forcing missed shots, turnovers, and all the while, continuing to dominate the glass.
Taylor Fohey was a steady presence off the bench, scoring multiple second chance baskets.
Kylie Moeller and
Olivia Corson added timely points, getting more buckets in transition. McKendree's defensive efforts held SBU in check throughout the quarter, with the fourth being their lowest-scoring of the game (6 points). With balanced contributions and constant control of the tempo, McKendree comfortably closed out the game with the aforementioned 28-point win, McKendree's third straight win by a margin of 20+ points.
BEARCAT INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Kyra Taylor | 22 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists
Taylor Fohey | 10 points, 9 rebounds
Morgan Feil | 8 points, 12 rebounds
Baylie Parks | 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Emma Slings | 8 points, 2 assists
Madison Johnson | 7 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
BEARCAT TEAM STATS
Field Goals | 29-of-72 (40.3%)
Three-Pointers | 2-of-13 (15.4%)
Free Throws | 14-of-22 (63.6%)
Rebounds | 61 (23 offensive, 38 defensive)
Assists | 15
Turnovers | 17
Steals | 6
Blocks | 1
Fouls | 18
Largest Lead | 33 points, 3:45-3rd Quarter
Points off Turnovers | 21
Points in the Paint | 50
Second Chance Points | 19
Fast Break Points | 17
Bench Points | 25
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
vs. Drury Panthers (9-6, 6-2 GLVC)
Saturday, January 17th - 1:00 PM
at Statham Sports Center - Lebanon, IL
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN)
Listen Live (Panther All-Access)
Live Stats (Sidearm Sports)
Tickets (UniversityTickets)
OTHER GLVC WBB SCORES FOR JANUARY 15TH, 2026
Quincy 58, Upper Iowa 54 (@ Fayette, IA)
Maryville 68, Drury 65 (@ St. Louis, MO)
Lewis 53, Truman State 38 (@ Romeoville, IL)
UIS 86, Rockhurst 36 (@ Springfield, IL)
(RV) UMSL 67, Missouri S&T 55 (@ St. Louis, MO)
UIndy 65, William Jewell 43 (@ Indianapolis, IN)
UPDATED - TOP 8 GLVC WBB TEAMS
1ST | (RV) UMSL Tritons | 13-2, 9-0
2ND | Maryville Saints | 13-4, 7-2 | 2.0 Games Behind
T-3RD | McKendree Bearcats | 9-5, 6-2 | 2.5 Games Behind
T-3RD | Drury Panthers | 9-6, 6-2 | 2.5 Games Behind
4TH | Lewis Flyers | 9-6, 5-2 | 3.0 Games Behind
T-5TH | Quincy Hawks | 8-7, 5-3 | 3.5 Games Behind
T-5TH | Truman State Bulldogs | 8-8, 5-3 | 3.5 Games Behind
8TH | Upper Iowa Peacocks | 8-8, 4-4 | 4.5 Games Behind
