SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --  In a showdown between the top two scoring teams in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, it came down to a stellar defensive effort that factored into the finish, as the Drury Lady Panthers put the clamps on the McKendree Bearcats offense and rolled to a 77-66 win Thursday night at the O'Reilly Family Event Center.
 
Despite the final margin of 11 points, it took a late run by McKendree to make it close, as Drury dominated the first three quarters and held a 25-point cushion heading into the final period.
 
The Lady Panther's shutdown defense limited the Bearcats ability to score early and
after trading leads with the visitors to open the game, the Lady Panthers closed the first quarter and opened the second on an 11-0 scoring run to pull away from the Bearcats and forged a 42-26 advantage at the half. 
 
"I thought our first half on both ends of the floor was our best of the year," said Drury head coach Kaci Bailey.  "We focused defensively on some key actions they like to run and it made a difference."
 
Balance scoring was the key for the Lady Panthers, with four players reaching double figures.  Sophomores Rhi Gibbons and Sara Mendel each finished with 13 points to pace the scoring, with senior Aiden Moxness adding ten points off the bench.
 
But it was the double-double effort of senior Caitlynn Daniels that impressed.  Daniels finished with 11 points and season best 12 assists, with seven rebounds tossed in for good measure.
 
"I thought she did a good job of punching the middle of their zone, and she created a lot," added Bailey.  "You better have your hands ready when she has the ball."
 
The win moved the Lady Panthers to 11-4 on the season and to 7-1 in Great Lakes Valley Conference action.
 
The Bearcats, who dropped to 10-4 and 6-2 in GLVC play, were led in scoring by Baylie Parks, who had a game best 22.
 
The Lady Panthers continue their current homestand on Saturday, January 18th, when they will host Maryville in a 1 pm contest at the O'Reilly Family Event Center.