McKendree boxscore in PDF

Forward Jade Rogers recorded a double-double to pace the Maryville women's basketball team to a 79-68 victory over McKendree in its Great Lakes Valley Conference home opener. Rogers finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds to lead Maryville. The Saints have won five straight and improve to 7-3 overall, 1-0 in the league.
 
The game was tied at 10-10 before the Saints scored 10 straight points during a 16-2 run. Rogers sank a 3-pointer to ignite the run, and Jordynn Martin splashed in a trey for a 16-10 edge. Alex Hillyer scored inside and followed with two free throws for a 20-10 lead. McKendree finally scored a basket. Carly Frala answered with a 3-pointer, and Martin's shot from downtown boosted the Saints to a 26-12 lead. Maryville kept the margin at 16 before scoring seven consecutive points late. Shelby Miller scored on a drive, and Hillyer hit a jumper in the lane. Miller's 3-pointer built a 44-21 lead as the Saints settled for a 44-23 lead at halftime.
 
Martin hit a 3-pointer early in the second half as the Saints took their biggest lead of the night at 47-23. Maryville still held a 49-28 lead until the Bearcats chipped away at their deficit. The lead was trimmed to 12 before a Miller 3-pointer was good for a 55-40 edge midway through the second half. The Bearcats scored seven straight and cut the gap to 57-48 with eight minutes to go before the Saints answered with buckets by Ali Ringering and Martin. McKendree again cut the deficit to single digits before Miller scored six straight points to steady the Saints for a 67-52 margin. The Bearcats tried to rally in the waning minutes but the Saints sank six free throws to hold on for the win.
 
Hillyer and Martin tied for team high honors with 17 points apiece. Miller added 16 points, while Ringering chipped in nine points and seven assists. Rita Flynn added eight boards and five assists to the attack. Jameeka Bouie led McKendree (1-8, 0-1 GLVC) with 18 points.
 
The Saints are back in action Sunday as they host Illinois Springfield in a 1 p.m. There is free admission for everyone at Moloney Arena.