St. Louis – Despite a combined 31 points from Carsyn Fearday and Haidyn Pitsch, Maryville women's basketball dropped a 63-59 decision versus McKendree Monday evening. The contest was the Great Lakes Valley Conference home opener for the Saints. Fearday shot 50 percent from the field for 16 points, while Pitsch made three 3-pointers en route to her 15.

McKendree recap
The visiting Bearcats used a quick start to grab a double-digit lead after the first. Still down 28-18 early in the second, the Saints crawled back into the game using a 10-0 run. Fearday knocked down two straight jumpers, and Annika Pluemer hit back-to-back runners in the lane. Antoinette Mussorici sank a short jumper as the Saints closed to within 30-28. McKendree took a 35-30 lead at the break.
 
It was the Saints who started the third quarter with a rush. Pitsch made a jumper and a corner 3-pointers to tie the game, and Fearday drove the lane for a bucket that gave Maryville a 37-35 lead. Karlee Feldman scored as the Saints went up by four. Later, a hoop by Pitsch handed the Saints their largest lead of the game at 41-36 with 4:51 left in the third. The Bearcats closed the quarter on a 9-2 run to retake a 45-43 edge heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
Fearday's jumper tied the score at 45-45 but the Bearcats reeled off an 11-2 run to take a 56-47 advantage. Down eight, Pitsch canned another triple but McKendree sank two free throws and tacked on another at the line. The Saints made a late push as Mussorici converted two at the line, and a Pitsch 3-pointer trimmed the deficit to just 62-59 with two seconds left but McKendree sealed the win with two free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining.

Statistical Leaders
Points: Carsyn Fearday - 16
Rebounds: Karlee Feldman - 9
Assists: Antoinette Mussorici - 4
3-Pointers: Haidyn Pitsch - 3
Steals: Antoinette Mussorici - 4
Blocked Shots: Karlee Feldman - 2
 
Records
Maryville: 2-4, 0-2 GLVC
McKendree: 4-2, 2-0 GLVC
 
What's Next?
The Saints stay at home and continue league play as they host Illinois Springfield for a 5:15 pm game Thursday, Nov. 30, in Moloney Arena.