KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - Ellie Weltha matched her career-high with 29 points and the Truman State Women's Basketball team won their second straight with a 79-72 conference-opening win over McKendree (Ill.) on Saturday.

Weltha scored 19 points in the first 20 minutes on 7-of-8 shooting and Truman took their largest lead in the game at 20 points at 51-31 early in the third quarter.

McKendree whittled the lead down to six points with under a minute to play and forced a pair of turnovers to try and creep closer but after a a timeout, Hannah Belanger knocked down a pair of free throws to insure the win.

Weltha finished with 29 points and eight rebounds going 11-of-17 from the field with two three-pointers. 

Belanger added 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. 

Truman State shot 49% for the game and were 5-of-19 from long range.

McKendree was paced by 15 points from Clare Breden.

The Bulldogs will host the University of Indianapolis on Monday evening at 5:15 p.m.