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Ava McCulla getting ready to make a post move against two Maryville defenders at Maryville University.
Madelyn Stephen

Women’s Basketball Hosts McKendree, Illinois Springfield in GLVC Home Stand

1/20/2026 11:50:00 AM

By: Madelyn Stephen, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
ROLLA, Mo. – Missouri S&T women's basketball returns to Gibson Arena this week for a pair of Great Lakes Valley Conference home contests, hosting McKendree on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. before welcoming Illinois Springfield on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Miners enter the week 7–7 overall and 3–5 in GLVC play, looking to build momentum going into this week.

About the Miners
Missouri S&T has been strong on both ends of the floor through the season's first 14 games, averaging 67.4 points per game while holding opponents to 58.7 points, resulting in a +8.7 scoring margin. The Miners shoot 41.5% from the field and control the glass with 42.9 rebounds per game, owning a +7.7 rebounding margin on the year. 

Norah Gum (Waterloo, IL/Waterloo) leads S&T offensively with 12.5 points per game, shooting 43.3% from the floor and pulling down 5.4 rebounds per contest. Anna Finley (Owensville, MO/Owensville) adds 10.6 points per game and continues to be reliable at the free-throw line, converting 88.2% of her attempts. Inside, Ava McCulla (St. Louis, MO/Parkway South) anchors the frontcourt with 8.9 points and a team-high 6.1 rebounds per game, while Anna Gilbertson (Lake Zurich, IL/Lake Zurich) provides efficient scoring at 49.5% shooting.

About the Bearcats
McKendree enters Thursday's matchup 9–6 overall and 6–3 in GLVC play, ranking among the league's most efficient offensive teams. The Bearcats average 76.2 points per game while shooting 42.8% from the field, and own a +13.3 scoring margin on the season.

Offensively, McKendree is led by Baylie Parks (13.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG) and Kyra Taylor (12.2 PPG), while Tessa Crawford adds perimeter scoring at 9.2 points per game. The Bearcats control the glass with 43.2 rebounds per game and force 18.7 turnovers per contest, making them a physical, high-tempo opponent heading into Thursday's conference matchup.

About the Praire Stars
Illinois Springfield enters Saturday's matchup 7–10 overall and 4–5 in GLVC play, averaging 69.4 points per game while shooting 41.1% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range. The Prairie Stars are one of the conference's most active defensive teams, forcing 23.6 turnovers per game and averaging 12.9 steals per contest.

UIS is led by Kayla Rice, who averages 16.1 points per game and has knocked down 36 three-pointers this season. Julia Mingus adds 12.4 points per game while shooting 48.1% from beyond the arc, and Kennedy Osterman contributes 11.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest. The Prairie Stars play at a fast pace and rely heavily on perimeter scoring and defensive pressure to generate offense.

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