TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Anna McKendree led Indiana State with 16 points Thursday and Chelsea Cain added 13, but visiting Western Kentucky used a fourth-quarter run to narrowly defeat the Sycamores, 58-51, inside Hulman Center.
 
Cain added a season-high six rebounds, while McKendree had four rebounds and five steals for the Sycamores. Del'Janae Williams had six points, six assists and five rebounds for the Trees, who welcomed more than 1,000 middle school students from around Vigo County for the contest.
 
In what became a defensive slugfest where neither team led by more than two possessions in the opening half, Indiana State managed to take an eight-point lead late in the third quarter. Western Kentucky responded in the final minutes of the third and took control in the fourth, as the Sycamores made just two field goals in the final 10 minutes. Down by two with less than two minutes remaining, a layup by McKendree just missed and WKU iced the game with free throws down the stretch.
 
First Half
Indiana State got out to a quick start as McKendree hit a pair of early buckets to give the Trees a 7-2 lead. WKU found offense off the bench in the form of Hope Sivori, who hit a trio of 3-pointers in the quarter to put the Lady Toppers in front. Two baskets by Adrian Folks in the final three minutes, including a three-point play, had the Sycamores in front late but a 3-pointer by Sivori saw Western Kentucky take a 13-12 lead after the opening frame.
 
McKendree and Folks started the second with early baskets to give the Trees a narrow lead, and Ella Sawyer tacked on a 3-pointer to extend the advantage to 19-15 midway through. A free throw by Cain put Indiana State back up by four, but the visitors responded with an 8-0 run to take a 26-22 lead late. McKendree knocked down a 3-pointer in the final 30 seconds to keep the Sycamores within reach, as WKU led 27-25 at halftime.
 
Second Half
McKendree opened the third quarter with a jumper to even the score, and Williams hit a 3-pointer from the corner to give the Sycamores the lead midway through. Hattie Westerfeld started an 8-2 run for the home side with a basket down low, which was followed by 3-pointers from both McKendree and Williams to make it 44-36 in favor of Indiana State. WKU closed the quarter strong, though, as the Sycamores took a narrow 45-44 lead into the final frame.
 
Indiana State struggled to find a rhythm on the offensive end in the fourth, but defensive intensity kept the Sycamores within two possessions throughout. McKendree hit a pair of free throws to make it a 48-47 deficit, and consecutive baskets by Cain made it a two-point game late at 53-51. McKendree had a chance to tie the game in the final minute, but her layup attempt just missed off the rim. WKU was able to close out the game from the free throw line, as the Lady Toppers escaped Hulman Center with a 58-51 win.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Anna McKendree's 16-point game was her fourth game in double-figures through seven this season after scoring 10-plus points just seven times last season (27 games).
• Indiana State was plus-six in the rebound battle (40-34), with 10 of the Sycamores' rebounds coming on the offensive end.
• Chelsea Cain's 13 points were her most in a game since the season opener against Saint Louis, when she had 14. Her six rebounds were also a season high.

 
News & Notes

• Thursday's attendance of 2,321 was the most in a home game this season for the Sycamores. It was also the highest-attended Indiana State women's basketball home game since Dec. 8, 2015, when 2,340 fans filled the stands to see the Trees face Indiana.
• Thursday's game was the first of a five-game homestand which also sees the Sycamores play Purdue Fort Wayne (Sunday), Detroit Mercy (Wednesday), Missouri State (Dec. 29) and Southern Illinois (Dec. 31). The last time Indiana State played five straight home games was during the 2017-18 season.
• Indiana State dropped to 7-2 under head coach Chad Killinger when allowing fewer than 60 points. Conversely, the Sycamores are 2-15 when scoring fewer than 60 points under Killinger.

 
Up Next
Indiana State's homestand continues Sunday afternoon when the Sycamores welcome Purdue Fort Wayne to Hulman Center for a 1 p.m. tip.
 
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on Sycamore Women's Basketball, visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from the both the App Store and the Google Play Store.