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Two months ago, the Lindenwood Lady Lions basketball team was dominated from the opening tip by Evangel in Springfield, Mo. Fast forward to Thursday night and the Lady Lions turned in a completely opposite effort against the Crusaders, playing even with the top team in the conference for 40 minutes. But in the end, the No. 25 Evangel Crusaders still prevailed over Lindenwood 69-66 in St. Charles.
The Lady Lions jumped out to an early six point lead with 14 minutes to play in the first half. It didn't take the Crusaders long to cut into the lead, tying the game just 50 seconds later. The two teams traded the lead four times, but with 4:39 to play in the half, Evangel went on a 10-0 run to take a 10-point lead.
Trailing by 10 with just 2:58 to play, Lindenwood could only cut the lead to seven at the final buzzer of the first half.
The second half started well for the home team. The Lady Lions hit their first five of eight shots to tie the game at 41. Once again the teams traded the lead back-and-forth until the 6:46 mark when Lindenwood took a 55-54 advantage.
The Lady Lions extended the lead to five after an Abby Schultenhenrich driving lay-up. Trailing by five, the Crusaders would win the game from the free throw line. At the 3:14 mark, Kara Blankenship hit the first of 11 free throws that the Crusaders made down the stretch.
With Evangel up by a point with just over 90 seconds to play, Sarah Schnieders gave Lindenwood the lead. But the Crusaders came right back, taking a three point lead after four made free throws.
Once again Schnieders scored, but this time Evangel still held the lead. With 13 seconds to go in the game, Ashlee Luko made two free throws to extend the lead to three. The Lady Lions had a shot to tie it at the buzzer with a three-point attempt, but it was off the mark.
Lindenwood ended the game shooting 37 percent from the field and 42 percent from behind the line. The Lady Lions outrebounded the Crusaders 28-22 and outscored Evangel 36-18 in the paint.
Schnieders led the way for Lindenwood scoring 19 point on seven of 10 shooting. Harrington pitched in with 15 and Kelly Albers scored 14. Schultenhenrich led the team in rebounds with five.
With the loss the Lady Lions fall to 13-8 overall and 9-4 in conference play. The Lady Lions will be back on the road Saturday afternoon against Benedictine.
