KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - A strong start to the second half pushed the McKendree Bearcats to a 74-61 victory over the Truman State Bulldogs on Thursday night in Pershing Arena. Molly Joyce led the Bulldogs with 22 points while Ellie Weltha became only the sixth Bulldog player to score over 1,500 career points with 17 on the night.

The score was tied at 12 after one and McKendree grabbed a 32-28 lead. The Bearcats scored the first eight points out of the lockeroom to go up 40-28. The Bulldogs did not have a made field goal for nearly five and a half minutes to start the third quarter.

Truman State cut it down to six early in the fourth following consecutive three-point trips from Emma Bulman and Gracie Neff but again, McKendree scored the next eight to restore their double-figure lead.

The Bulldogs struggled from distance on the night making only three of 22 attempts (14%).

McKendree was led with 15 points from Madyson Harper.

Truman will welcome Missouri-St. Louis to town on Saturday afternoon with a 1 p.m. scheduled tipoff.