Lebanon, IL - It may have already seemed that way on paper. Still, the McKendree University Women's Basketball team had quite the battle on its hands on Saturday afternoon, as they welcomed the Drury Panthers for a matchup of two teams among the top four in the GLVC standings entering the weekend's proceedings. The teams were pace for as many as 92 points apiece after the opening quarter, Drury (10-6, 7-2) led by as many as 11 points in the third quarter, but McKendree (9-6, 6-3) continued to fight, using free throws, three-pointers, and rebounding to get right down to the final possession, but the Panthers held on for a narrow 83-80 win at the Statham Sports Center. 

McKendree and Drury played a fast-paced, back-and-forth first quarter that ended knotted at 23-23. After Drury struck first off a McKendree turnover, the Bearcats settled in behind strong interior play from Baylie Parks and Madison Johnson, who combined for multiple scores inside the paint and second-chance points to keep McKendree level early. Drury countered with a steady offense, hitting multiple pull-up jumpers. Neither team led by more than four as the quarter featured frequent lead changes, physical rebounding, and active defense highlighted by the blocking effort of Parks. Late in the quarter, Drury briefly gained momentum with a three-pointer, but McKendree answered at the buzzer with Johnson converting off a turnover to erase the deficit. 

The Bearcats battled through a physical and uneven second quarter, trailing 49-40 at the break. After Drury struck early with second-chance points, the Bearcats answered by attacking the paint, with Johnson continuing to draw fouls and Parks controlling the glass. Kyra Taylor provided a spark midway through the quarter, scoring inside and converting a three-point play to briefly pull McKendree even. While Drury capitalized on perimeter shooting to extend the margin, the Bearcats stayed aggressive, earning continued trips to the free throw line and keeping pressure on the Panther defense. Despite a late scoring run, McKendree closed the half within striking distance.

McKendree came out of halftime with renewed energy, but Drury used an early run to build its largest lead of the game in the third quarter before the Bearcats responded. After McKendree cut into the margin at the free throw line, Drury stretched the lead to 11 behind a three-pointer and more offense inside, briefly putting the Bearcats on their heels. McKendree answered, leaning on Parks' work on the rebounding and Johnson's drives through the paint to stop the momentum. The turning point came midway through the quarter when Tessa Crawford caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down three triples in a short span to ignite the home crowd and pull McKendree back to a possession-by-possession battle that it was earlier in the game. Taylor added second-chance points and free throws late as the Bearcats trimmed the deficit, closing the third quarter trailing 65-59. 

The Bearcats mounted a determined fourth quarter rally, repeatedly cutting into the deficit and putting pressure on Drury before falling by the three-point margin. After Drury briefly pushed the lead to eight, McKendree responded with second-chance points from Johnson and a timely three from Emma Slings to keep the game within reach. Taylor and Parks continued to go to work inside, combining for key baskets and offensive rebounds as McKendree stayed within one possession throughout the final minutes. A late surge, powered by back-to-back treys from Crawford in the final two minutes, pulled the Bearcats within one and forced multiple late stoppages. Despite creating opportunities in the closing seconds, McKendree was unable to convert on its final look, as the Panthers closed out the game at the line to secure the win.

BEARCAT INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Tessa Crawford | 22 points, 5 3-pointers
Baylie Parks | 20 points, 10-of-12 free throws, 15 rebounds
Kyra Taylor | 16 points, 4 rebounds
Madison Johnson | 15 points, 6 rebounds

BEARCAT TEAM STATS
Field Goals | 27-of-68 (39.7%)
3-Pointers | 6-of-15 (40%)
Free Throws | 20-of-26 (76.9%)
Rebounds | 39 (17 offensive, 22 defensive)
Fouls | 15
Assists | 6
Turnovers | 7
Steals | 3
Blocks | 3
Points off Turnovers | 11
Points in the Paint | 40
Second Chance Points | 19
Fast Break Points | 2
Bench Scoring | 22

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
@ Missouri S&T Miners (7-7, 3-5 GLVC)
Thursday, January 22nd - 5:30 PM
Gibson Arena - Rolla Missouri
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN)
Listen Live (104.9 FM ESPN)
Live Stats (Sidearm Sports)
Tickets (UniversityTickets)