Complete Game Notes in .pdf format here

Storyline
The Lindenwood Lady Lions basketball program will be playing in the semifinals of the HAAC Tournament for the first time since the 2000-01 season. The Lady Lions are coming off a 65-59 first round win over Baker.

Next up for Lindenwood is the third seeded Avila Eagles. Avila advanced to the semifinals with a 54-46 win over the sixth seeded MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers.

This is the first time the Eagles have played in the semifinals of the postseason tournament since the 2008-09 season.

Lindenwood won both games against the Eagles during the regular season. In the first matchup in Kansas City the Lady Lions won 68-66. In the rematch in St. Charles, Lindenwood handled the Eagles 61-45.

Last Time Out
For the first time since the 2000-01 season, the Lady Lions team won a first round game of the HAAC Tournament. Lindenwood outlasted Baker 65-59.

Both teams struggled in the first half combining for just 39 points. The Lady Lions shot 31 percent and the Wildcats 32 percent.

After a slow start, the Lady Lions ended the game shooting 42 percent from the field and 88 percent from the free throw line. Lindenwood's defense stifled the Baker offense, holding them to 37 percent shooting and forcing 15 turnovers. Lindenwood was outrebounded 36-30 including 16-9 on the offensive glass.

Morgan Harrington led the way for the Lady Lions with 21 points, which included going 11 for 12 from the free throw line. Abby Schultehenrich chipped in with 10 points and six assists. Kelly Albers led the team in rebounds with eight, and Sarah Schnieders led the Lady Lions with three steals.

HAAC Tourney
For the 15th consecutive year, Lindenwood is playing in the HAAC Tournament.

Finally
With the Lady Lions' win over Baker Wednesday night, the team finally won a postseason game. The win was the first in the HAAC Tournament since the 2000-01 season.

Last Championship
The last time the Lady Lions basketball team has won the conference tournament was the 1999-2000 season.

Defense is Stepping Up
Over the past eight games, the Lady Lions have held their opponents to just 38 percent shooting from the field and 28 percent from behind the arc. In those eight games, the team is 7-1. When Lindenwood holds opponents to under 45 percent shooting, the team is 19-4 on the year.

Magic Number
If the Lady Lions' opponents do not score over 60 points the team is 16-0.

Winning Games
With the win in the first round of the tournament, the Lady Lions have won 21 games, which hasn't happened since the 2000-01 season. This year's team is just one win away from moving into fourth all-time at Lindenwood for wins in a season. The record is 30 wins held by the 1999-2000 team.

Scoring Is Tops
The Lady Lions are averaging 70.0  points a game, which is tops in the HAAC. When Lindenwood reaches its scoring average the team is 12-1.
 
If the team can keep its current scoring average through the end of the year, it will be the highest in the history of the program. The 2004-05 team holds the highest scoring average with 69.9 points.

Home Court Advantage
Lindenwood has compiled a record of 12-3 in 15 games this season at Hyland Arena. The Lady Lions program had not finished above .500 at home since the 2008-09 season. 

Halftime Lead = Win
If the Lady Lions head into the locker room at halftime with a lead, there is a very good chance the team will earn a victory. In the Lady Lions' 21 wins this season, the team has held a halftime lead in 19, and is also 19-0 if leading at the half.

Moving Up the Charts
If this year's team can keep its current averages, the Lady Lions will be in the top five in several categories. Currently, the team would be first all-time in scoring average with its 70.0 points, second all-time with a .722 free throw percentage, and fourth all-time with a .437 field goal percentage. 

Dominating The Boards
In the team's last 18 games the Lady Lions have had more rebounds than their

Postseason Honors     
Three Lady Lions were named to All-HAAC teams this week. Morgan Harrington was named to the first team, as well as the newcomer of the year. Sarah Schnieders and Kelly Albers were named to the third-team. Along with those honors, Coach Francis was named the conference coach of the year.

NAIA National Tourney     
After the HAAC Tournament, two teams from the conference will receive automatic bids to the NAIA National Tournament. The Evangel Crusaders have already clinched one spot after winning the regular season title. The second bid will come from the winner of the conference tourney. 

Scouting The Eagles
The Avila Eagles are coming off a first round win over MidAmerica Nazarene 54-46. The Eagles compiled an 17-12 overall record and 12-8 HAAC mark during the regular season.

The Eagles offense is scoring 63 points a game and the defense surrenders just 62. Avila is second in the country with an average of 30 defensive rebounds a game.

Avila is led by three dynamic players. Alyson Young and Torie Murillo were named to the All-HAAC first team. Young leads the conference in scoring with 20 points a game and also grabs 8.7 rebounds. Murillo was also named the conference defensive player of the year and is leading the country in steals. Brittany Townsend is second on the team with an average of 16 points.

Larry Williams is the Eagles head coach. 
 
Last Time
This contest will be the third time the Lady Lions and the Eagles have played each other this season. The Lady Lions are 2-0 against Avila.

The first time the two teams met was early in the HAAC season in Kansas City, Kan. The Lady Lions used a 22-9 run to start the second half to jump out to an eight point lead. Avila didn't go away but Lindenwood held on for the 68-66 win. Avila shot 58 percent from the field but the Lady Lions were able to weather the storm.

Morgan Harrington led the way scoring 24 points. Caroline Bourlioux chipped in with 13 and Kelly Albers scored 10.

In the second game in St. Charles, the Lady Lions defenese stifled the Eagles, holding them to 29 percent shooting and 45 points. Lindenwood won 61-45.
       
Once again Harringotn led the team in scoring with 14 points and Sarah Schnieders scored 12.

Up Next
If the Lady Lions beat Avila the finals will take place on Monday at 7 p.m. at the Hyland Arena against the winner of Benedictine/Graceland game.