LEBANON, ILL. – Nine McKendree three-pointers in the second half propelled the Bearcats past the Missouri Baptist women's basketball team, 72-58. The Spartans fall to 3-6 on the season in their last non-conference game of the season. McKendree improved to 5-2 in 2013-14.
The Spartans shot an impressive 44 percent from the floor, making 20-of-45 shots from the field. MBU also made 15-of-19 free throw shots, but the Bearcats out-rebounded the Spartans, 17-8 on the offensive glass, which made the difference.
Kristyne Smyth was a stellar 6-of-12 from the field and 2-of-3 from deep range en route to 16 points. Taylor Klingelhoefer and Jasmine Jackson each pitched in with 11 points. Haley Elders pulled down a season-high seven rebounds, including three in the offensive zone. Leslie Damper led the Spartans with five assists.
McKendree jumped out to a 15-9 lead with 12:34 left in the first half, but a 7-0 MBU run over the next two minutes would give the Spartans a 16-15 run with 10:32 left in the half.
Ellie Pushek pulled down an offensive rebound and drained a jumper on the Bearcats next possession, giving McKendree the lead for good.
McKendree would expand its lead to four points in multiple possessions over the final ten minutes of the first half, but the Spartans would not allow the Bearcats to pull away.
Angela Talley made four free throws over the final 7:17 of the half, which helped the Spartans stay within four points of the lead.
In the final minute of the half and the Spartans trailing 26-25, McKendree reset the shot clock twice via offensive rebounds, but the Missouri Baptist had a chance at taking the lead. Smyth's mid-range jumper rattled out with 29 seconds left in the half, resulting in Emily Pushek sinking a shot in the paint with 18 seconds left.
The Spartans would head into the locker room trailing 28-25 at the break. Klingelhoefer led MBU with seven points at the half on 2-of-2 shooting from the field, 1-of-1 from deep range and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe. Elders pulled down five rebounds in the half and the Spartans led the battle in rebounds, 18-15.
The second half did not start how the Spartans would have liked. McKendree drained 7-of-11 shots from the field over the first 5:04, and took a 44-29 lead. MBU made just 2-of-7 shots during that time frame.
With 11:38 remaining in the game, the Spartans trailed 53-33, and made just 3-of-10 shots in the half. Missouri Baptist would not give in, and went on a 12-4 run to cut the deficit to 57-47 with just 7:22 left in the game. Smyth's three-pointer with 8:33 left in regulation cut the deficit to 55-43.
The Bearcats worked the lead back to 15 points with 2:49 left in the game, but Jasmine Jackson scored five-straight points and cut the deficit to 68-58 with 1:44 in the game.
McKendree scored the final four points of the contest, ending in a 72-58 final.
The Spartans are off until January 2, 2014, when they host Hannibal-LaGrange.
