Lebanon, IL - McKendree University Women's Basketball pushed the Lewis Flyers for all 40 minutes on Friday night inside the Statham Sports Center, trimming multiple double-digit deficits and cutting the margin to one possession late before falling 80-72 in GLVC action. McKendree shot 51.9% from the field, outscored Lewis in the paint and in transition, plus forced 16 Flyer turnovers. Still, Lewis' third-quarter perimeter shooting and late free throws proved to be the fatal blow as the Flyers pulled away in the waning seconds.

McKendree established early control by scoring inside and their defensive energy, opening the game with a 21-18 advantage after the first quarter. Baylie Parks got off to a five-point start, grabbing three rebounds as well to anchor that interior spark early. Kyra Taylor had four points in the first, making both of her attempts, while both Chloe White and Tessa Crawford aided the defense with three steals combined. McKendree scored seven of its 21 points via Lewis turnovers, while holding the Flyers to 0-for-2 from three-point range to control the tempo early.

Lewis shifted momentum in the second quarter by extending possessions and scoring on second chances, outscoring McKendree 19-10 in the quarter. McKendree shot 5-of-15 from the field in the quarter and went scoreless from three, while Lewis was able to boost their interior offense through their offensive rebounding. Taylor added another five points in the quarter, while Kylie Moeller knocked down a jumper to keep the Bearcats within reach. Lewis had begun to shoot at a quicker clip, and closed the half on a run to carry a 37-31 lead into the halftime locker room.

The third quarter proved to be pivotal, as Lewis connected on six three-pointers in the quarter, stretching the margin to double digits. McKendree, however, would continue to score efficiently inside, shooting 8-of-14 in the quarter, but Lewis' perimeter efforts out-weighed that of McKendree's interior game. Parks scored eight points in the quarter, adding two defensive rebounds. Taylor added five points, while White hit a three to stop the bleeding on a Lewis run. Turnovers during that stretch led to fairly quick conversions, and the visitors would hold a 10-point lead (62-52) going into the final frame.

McKendree mounted a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, outscoring Lewis 20-18 and trimming the deficit to just three points with three full minutes yet to play. Morgan Feil provided a spark with three steals in the fourth quarter alone, scoring seven points, including a fast break layup and a three. Parks scored six points and pulled in two offensive rebounds to extend some possessions, while Taylor added six points in the quarter. Crawford also had a key layup and defensive stretch that brought a burst of energy to the Bearcat sideline. McKendree forced seven Lewis turnovers in the quarter and got multiple looks late, but Lewis was able to convert at the free-throw line when fouling came into play to take the eight-point victory.

NOTABLE BEARCAT INDIVIDUALS
Baylie Parks | 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists
Kyra Taylor | 16 points, 6-of-9 field goals
Morgan Feil | 7 points, 3 steals

NOTABLE BEARCAT TEAM STATS
Field Goal Percentage | McKendree 51.9%, Lewis 51.7%
Points in the Paint | McKendree 48, Lewis 38
Fast Break Points | McKendree 15, Lewis 8
Second Chance Points | McKendree 11, Lewis 8

GLVC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD | JANUARY 2ND, 2026
Maryville def. Upper Iowa, 79-69 (@ St. Louis, MO)
UIS def. UIndy, 60-50 (@ Springfield, IL)
Truman State def. Lincoln, 69-56 (@ Jefferson City, MO)
Missouri S&T def. William Jewell, 67-47 (@ Rolla, MO)
UMSL def. Quincy, 62-61 (OT) (@ St. Louis, MO)
Drury def. Rockhurst, 80-46 (@ Springfield, MO)

UPDATED GLVC WBB STANDINGS
1st | UMSL | (9-2 Overall, 5-0 GLVC)
2nd | Drury | (7-4 Overall, 4-0 GLVC)
3rd | Maryville | (10-3 Overall, 4-1 GLVC)
4th | Upper Iowa | (7-5 Overall, 3-1 GLVC)
5th | Truman State | (6-6 Overall, 3-1 GLVC)
6th | Missouri S&T | (6-4 Overall, 2-2 GLVC)
7th | Lewis | (6-6 Overall, 2-2 GLVC)
8th | McKendree | (5-5 Overall, 2-2 GLVC)
----------Current GLVC Tournament Qualification Cut-Off Line----------
9th | UIS | (5-8 Overall, 2-3 GLVC)
10th | Lincoln | (4-8 Overall, 2-3 GLVC)
11th | Rockhurst | (5-4 Overall, 1-3 GLVC)
12th | Southwest Baptist | (4-6 Overall, 1-3 GLVC)
13th | Quincy | (4-7 Overall, 1-3 GLVC)
14th | UIndy | (1-11 Overall, 0-4 GLVC)
15th | William Jewell | (0-10 Overall, 0-4 GLVC)

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
vs. UIndy Greyhounds (1-11 Overall, 0-4 GLVC)
Sunday, January 4th, 2026 - 1:00 PM CST
at Statham Sports Center - Lebanon, IL
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN)
Listen Live (88.7 WICR-FM)
Live Stats (Sidearm Sports)
Tickets (UniversityTickets)