Complete Game Notes in .pdf format here

Storyline
This week the Lindenwood Lady Lion basketball team will begin the stretch run of the season. Lindenwood has only six conference games left in the season plus one non-conference game.

The upcoming games this week will play a huge role in if the Lady Lions will participate in the HAAC tournament. Right now the team sits in the eighth spot, which is the final spot that gets into the tournament.

On the docket for the Lady Lions is a big match up against Missouri Valley who is just one loss behind Lindenwood for the final spot. After the home game the ladies will be back on the road with games at Graceland and Avila.

Last Week
It was a busy week for the team as they played three games in five days. The week started off with a road trip to Evangel where they fell, 66-53. Kelly Albers led the team in scoring with 12.

Next up was a home game against Benedictine, who at the time was in third place in the HAAC. Lindenwood played one of their best games of the season and beat the Lady Ravens, 77-69. Four Lady Lions scored in double-figures led by senior Cassie William's 19.

To close out the tough stretch the team once again traveled to Springfield but this time it was Springfield, Illinois. Lindenwood took on NCAA Division II, University of Illinois-Springfield. The Prairie Stars won the game, 64-57.

Senior Leadership
Senior Cassie Williams is leading the Lady Lions in several categories. She leads the team in total steals (48), total assists (78), minutes played per game (29.7), blocks (13), and total rebounds (166). She is third on the team in rebounds per game (7.2) and scoring  (8.8). 

She has also led the team in assists in 11 contests, blocks in nine games and leads the team with eight, 10+ rebound games.

Getting To The Stripe
On the season the team has not had any trouble getting to the charity stripe. They have attempted at least 20 free throws in all but six games. Compared to their opponents, they have taken 131 more than their opponents. The team's total of 550 is the most in the HAAC. Cassie Williams leads the team with 116 attempts and Christina Edwards has made the most (75). 

Team of Thieves
Lindenwood has recorded 231 steals, good for over 10 a game which is the third most among HAAC schools. Every player has recorded at least one, seven have double-digits and five have compiled at least 20.  The 231 steals is 14 more than their opponents and the total is the second most in the conference. 

Earlier in the season against Tabor, the Lady Lions tallied 19 thefts. The team's season high is 21 against Olivet Nazarene.

Cleaning The Glass
Through 23 games this season the team has corralled the fourth most defensive rebounds pre game (24.75) in the HAAC and average over 14 offensive rebounds a game. The offensive rebound average ranks the squad third in the HAAC and 39th in all of Division I.
     Christina Edwards leads the team with just under 10 rebounds a game and has compiled the most offensive rebounds with 71. Cassie Williams has recorded 114 defensive rebounds to lead the team.

Albers Coming On Strong
In the team's last five games Kelly Albers has made her presence felt down low. The junior from Okawville, Illinois has averaged 13.8 points and over six rebounds a game during that span.

The Magic Number
When the Lady Lions' defense only surrenders 60 points or less the team is 2-0. The best defensive effort came against Tabor College when the team only allowed 28 points.

Scouting Missouri Valley
Missouri Valley comes into the match up against the Lady Lions with a lot to play for. The Vikings are just one loss behind Lindenwood for the final spot in the HAAC Tournament. The Vikings do have a slight advantage in the race for the final spot as they have already defeated Lindenwood earlier in the season.   

The Vikings are led by freshman Sami Jackson who leads the team in scoring with over 10 points a game. In the first game against Lindenwood Jackson scored a game-high 22 points. 

Jolene Christensen has been the head women's basketball coach at Missouri Valley College since February 2008, being promoted to the position after spending four years as the Vikings' top assistant coach.

Scouting Graceland
The Graceland Yellowjackets have had an up and down 2009-10 season to this point. Having a win streak as high as four games and a losing streak that reached the same number. Graceland has an overall record of 10-9 with a HAAC mark of 5-8.

Leading the way for the squad is a trio of seniors. It all starts with Marisa Rauss who is averaging over 17 points a night to go along with eight rebouds and nearly three assists. Fellow senior Keturah Spotwood is also averaging in double-figures with 15 points and rounding out the trio is Channel Rainey and her 13 points.
 
Opie Butler begins his second season back to the hardwood as the women's basketball coach for Graceland University after a seven year absence.

Scouting Avila
The Avila Lady Eagles come into the contest against Lindenwood with an overall record of 15-8 and a HAAC mark of 9-4. Avila is the third ranked team in the country in defensive rebounds a game (31).
 Leading the way for the Lady Eagles is senior post player Alyson Young, who is one of the best players in the conference. She is leading the way with over 19 points a game which ranks her seventh in the country. Her 66 percent shooting is the best in all of NAIA Division I.

Larry Williams begins his fourth season as the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Avila University. This past season the Eagle's finished with a remarkable 24-7 record and a third place finish in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. His overall record is 59-35 and in three short years has brought the program to be a contender for the conference title.

Last Time
The last time the Lady Lions took on the Vikings it was a two point win for Missouri Valley, 71-69. Christina Edwards did her best to keep Lindenwood close, recording a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
 
It took five extra minutes the last time Lindenwood and Graceland met. The Lady Lions would outscore the Yellowjackets 14-9 in overtime to win, 95-90. Edwards was the star scoring a career-high 35 points and grabbing 22 rebounds.

The Avila Lady Eagles came to the Hyland Performance Arena and took care of the home team, 86-67. Once again the Lady Lions were led by Edwards who poured in 27 points.

Up Next
Next week the Lady Lions will be back at the Hyland Performance Arena for a two-game homestand against Central Methodist and the MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers.