Lebanon, IL - McKendree Women's Basketball concluded its three-game homestand on Saturday afternoon, hosting the UIS Prairie Stars for Hall of Fame Day & Alumni Day. The Bearcats (12-8, 9-5 GLVC) led from start to finish, building an early cushion and responding to every UIS (9-13, 6-8 GLVC) push in an 83-70 win at the Statham Center. McKendree controlled the paint, won the turnover battle, and got an impressive career-high 35 points from Baylie Parks, all in a game that the Bearcats never allowed to tilt out of their favor. 

The opening 10 minutes immediately set the game's direction. Baylie Parks scored McKendree's first six points, converting a second-chance layup, finishing through contact, and cashing in at the line after drawing fouls inside. Chloe White knocked down a transition three at the 8:36 mark and followed it by pushing the ball off defensive rebounds as McKendree turned turnovers into quick scores. A steal and a fast-break finish stretched the margin, and Emma Slings recorded assists on early paint scores during the opening run as the Bearcats closed the quarter by scoring on six of their final eight possessions while holding UIS to 3-of-13 shooting. McKendree led 25-9 after one, already owning the paint and the glass. 

UIS briefly found footing early in the second, but McKendree answered. Parks scored twice off turnovers in the paint, including a layup at 8:23 that pushed the lead back to 16. Kylie Moeller jumped in for a steal and finished on the other end, and Hannah Fenton later converted a second-chance three after an offensive rebound to maintain the lead. The Bearcats continued to extend possessions with their offensive rebounding and closed the half by scoring on three of its final four trips, heading into the break up 42-30 while shooting over 50%.

McKendree delivered its most decisive stretch coming out of halftime. Parks opened the half with another second-chance basket, and the Bearcats followed with consecutive paint scores to push the lead beyond 20. A blocked shot by White led directly to a transition opportunity, and Kyra Taylor converted multiple finishes at the rim as McKendree repeatedly punished UIS turnovers. A 3-pointer midway through the quarter pushed the lead to 19, and Slings would add assists on three baskets during a mid-quarter run, as the Bearcats closed the quarter by scoring on four of their final five possessions. McKendree out-scored UIS 21-11 in the quarter and took a 63-41 lead into the fourth.

UIS made its final push early, trimming the margin with perimeter shots and forcing a timeout after cutting the lead to 14. McKendree answered immediately. Parks scored on a turnover at 6:55, then added another finish inside at the 5:20 mark to stop the run. After a brief exchange of baskets, McKendree closed the game with execution at the line, converting free throws in the final minute and securing defensive rebounds to prevent further scoring. The Bearcats finished the afternoon with 54 points in the paint, forced 20 turnovers, and shot 18-for-20 at the free throw line, sealing the 83-70 victory.

BEARCAT INDIVIDUAL NOTABLES
Baylie Parks | 35 points, 14-of-17 shooting, 7-of-7 free throws, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Emma Slings | 14 points, 11 assists 

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
@ UIndy Greyhounds (5-18, 4-11 GLVC)
Thursday, February 12th - 4:30 PM
Nicoson Hall - Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN)
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Tickets (GoFan)