Feb. 13, 2008

(ST. LOUIS, Mo. - FEB. 12) -McKendree University's Heather Elders became the ninth player in McKendree history to score 1,000 career points in a 78-71 win over Missouri Baptist Tuesday night.

McKendree improved to 18-8 overall and 10-1 in the AMC, while Missouri Baptist fell to 10-14 overall and 5-6 in the AMC. The Bearcats host conference leader Harris-Stowe State University Saturday at 2 p.m.

Senior forward Heather Elders (Energy, Ill./Herrin), who needed only ten points heading into the contest to break 1,000 for her career, led all players with 23 points in the win. Junior forward Emily Best and freshman guard Ashley Agee (Moberly, Mo./Moberly) both had 16 points and junior guard Kelsey Park (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) scored 12. Missouri Baptist guard Nikia Henry led the Lady Spartans with 21 points in the loss, and forward Omega Key recorded the double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The Bearcats scored the first six points of the game and despite shooting 62.9-percent from the field in the first half, trailed 43-39 at halftime. The Bearcats came out strong in the second half and Elders put the Bearcats in the lead, 47-45, with a jumper with ten minutes to play. The Bearcats made all three of their shots from behind the arc in the second half to give them breathing room down the stretch and would finish with the 78-71 win.