Lebanon, IL - McKendree University Women's Basketball pulled away in the second half Wednesday night at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center, turning a two-point halftime edge into a 73-60 victory over Upper Iowa. In a game that featured eight lead changes and seven ties, the Bearcats (15-8, 12-5 GLVC) used turnover conversion, second chance scoring, and a key fourth quarter surge to pick up win #15, matching their win total from 2024-25. 

The opening 10 minutes set the tone for a tightly contested game. McKendree and Upper Iowa traded baskets early, with Baylie Parks knocking down a three-pointer and converting multiple finishes inside to keep the Bearcats within striking distance. After falling behind 8-5 midway through the quarter, McKendree answered with scores inside from Chloe White and Madison Johnson to stabilize the offense. Parks added a late putback off a Taylor assist to push the Bearcats in front, and McKendree closed the quarter ahead 22-20. The Bearcats shot efficiently in the quarter (9-of-16) and generated several extra opportunities thanks to their offensive rebounding.

McKendree stretched the margin early in the second behind White's three-pointer and a paint finish from Kyra Taylor to build a 27-20 advantage. The lead swelled to nine at 29-20 after Taylor converted at the line, but Upper Iowa responded with a 7-0 push to tighten the gap. Tessa Crawford provided a key spark midway through the quarter, converting a second-chance basket and later adding two free throws off a steal to restore a four-point cushion. Despite creating multiple offensive rebounds in the final minutes, the Bearcats were unable to fully capitalize, and Upper Iowa had trimmed the deficit to 35-33 by halftime.

The third quarter featured back-and-forth swings as neither side seized full control. Parks opened the half with a score in the paint, and Slings found Johnson for a transition score, but Upper Iowa countered to briefly move in front 45-42. Emma Slings steadied the Bearcats with three free throws to reclaim the lead, and Crawford converted a fast break layup off a takeaway to grab momentum. Parks added a finish off a feed from Taylor, and Taylor later turned a turnover into a layup to extend the margin to six. McKendree closed the quarter on an 8-3 run, taking a 54-50 edge into the final stanza. 

McKendree delivered its most decisive sequence in the opening three minutes of the fourth. Slings drilled consecutive three-pointers off turnovers to stretch the lead to double figures, and White followed with a three from the wing to make it 65-52. The Bearcats forced multiple miscues during that span, translating defensive pressure into immediate scoring. Upper Iowa cut the margin to eight with just over three minutes remaining, but Johnson responded with a three-pointer, and Taylor converted off another turnover to push the advantage to 73-58 with 1:02 to play, McKendree's largest lead of the night. The Bearcats finished the game with 23 points off turnovers and a 40-32 scoring edge in the paint, sealing a 13-point conference win.

BEARCAT INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Baylie Parks | 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists (21st career double-double)
Emma Slings | 15 points, 5-of-5 free throws, 3 assists, 4 steals
Kyra Taylor | 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
Chloe White | 10 points, 4 rebounds

SPECIAL DAY AHEAD
On Saturday, McKendree Women's Basketball will honor four seniors: Chloe White, Georgia Duncan, Alyssa Powell, and Haley Ottenschnieder. The ceremony will occur pregame just before game introductions on Saturday (est. 12:50 PM). 

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
Senior Day 2026
vs. Quincy Hawks (13-11, 10-7 GLVC)
Saturday, February 21st - 1:00 PM
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN)
Live Stats (Sidearm Stats)
Tickets (UniversityTickets)