Complete Game Notes in .PDF Format Here

After travelling almost 10,000 miles over the past two weeks, the Lady Lions will start a stretch of four out of the next five games at home.

To start off the week, Lindenwood will play a road game but only have to cross into one state. The Lady Lions will take on the McKendree Bearcats in Lebanon, Ill. The Bearcats have lost their last 10 games in a row.

After taking on McKendree, Lindenwood will play in front of its home crowd against the Urbana Blue Knights. Urbana enters the week with a record of 4-8 and have won its last two games.

Last Time Out
The Lady Lions defense played a nearly flawless first half last weekend which led them to a 74-40 road victory over New Orleans.

Lindenwood allowed just 13 points in the first 20 minutes, including holding the Lady Privateers to three-of-25 shooting from the field. New Orleans hit its second field goal of the game at the 13:47 mark and that made the score 8-4 in favor of Lindenwood. The Lady Privateers did not connect on another field goal until the final minute of the half. By that time, Lindenwood had built a 23-point lead and it led 36-13 at halftime.

The Lady Lions were able to play their bench for most of the second half, and they grew their lead to 38 points late in the game. Lindenwood received 27 points from its bench in the final period and the Lady Lions' bench outscored New Orleans 40-0 for the game.

Lindenwood shot 42.4 percent from the field for the game and outrebounded New Orleans by a 59-28 margin. New Orleans shot just 24.1 percent from the field for the contest.

Marissa Lehnig led Lindenwood in scoring with 12 points, and Caroline Bourlioux had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Meagan Hittle and Julie Hlinak each had 11 points off the bench, and both players missed just one field goal attempt. Sonya Milford finished with a team-high four assists to go along with seven points and nine rebounds. Cassie Bluemner also had nine boards.

 Defense Wins Games
Lindenwood's defense has been improving as the season goes along. On the year, the team is allowing just 60.3 points a game. The squad has not allowed 70 or more points over the last nine games, and it has not allowed over 60 points for the last five contests.

In that recent five-game span, the Lady Lions are holding opponents to just 30.1 percent shooting from the field and 15.7 percent shooting from three-point range. For the season, opponents are shooting 35.3 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Improved Rebounding
Lindenwood has improved its rebounding as the season goes on. Over the first six games of the year, the Lady Lions were -2 on the boards. For the last seven contests, Lindenwood is +65. In the team's game against New Orleans it won the battle on the boards 59-28.

Starting Five
So far in the 2011-12 season, the Lady Lions have used five different starting lineups. But over the last six games the combination of Harrington, Lehnig, Brown, Schnieders, and Bourlioux are 5-1. All other combinations are 3-4.

Quick Starts
Lindenwood has outscored its opponents in nine of the first 13 games this season in the first half, including in each of its last six games.

In the first half of games, the Lady Lions are averaging 33 points and allowing just 27.8 points. Over the last six games, they are scoring 35.8 points and allowing 27.3 in the first 20 minutes.

The Lady Lions have outscored their opponents just five times in the second half this season, and they have won all five of those games.

Leading Late Equals Win
When the Lady Lions have a lead with less than five minutes to play the team is 6-0. Conversely, the team has only two wins if its is trailing at the five minute mark.

Close Losses
This season, the Lady Lions have played very close in all of their losses. In Lindenwood's five losses this season, only one has come by more than 10 points.

Getting to the Line
The team has been a frequent visitor to the free throw line this season. The Lady Lions have taken 283 free throws compared to their opponents 262. When Lindenwood shoots more free-throws the team is 6-2.

Opponents Breakdown
This season with the Lindenwood athletics department in a transition year, the team will be taking on a wide range of opponents. The Lady Lions will play 10 NCAA Division II teams, five NAIA teams, and two NCAA Division I teams.

Road Warriors
The Lady Lions will be criss-crossing the country in 2011-12, including a trip off the continental United States. Lindenwood will travel to 10 states this season including the program's first ever trip to Hawaii. The ladies will travel to Louisiana, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.

Series History
McKendree has dominated the series between the two teams over the past six seasons. The Bearcats are 5-1 against Lindenwood. The last time the Lady Lions beat McKendree was in 2008-09. This will be the first time that Urbana and Lindenwood have played each other.

Up Next
After the team takes on Urbana at home the Lady Lions will play three games at home starting with Central Oklahoma, followed by Northeastern State, and concludes with a contest against Harris-Stowe.

About McKendree
The McKendree Bearcats enter the game against the Lady Lions with a record of 6-12. The Bearcats have lost their last 10 games.

The Bearcats average 64.5 points on offense and surrender 67.2 on defense.

McKendree is led by Caty Ponce who is averaging 14.6 points. Brittany Willis is second on the team with 10.2.
Melissa Ringhausen is in her 15th season at the helm of the women's basketball program.

About Urbana
Urbana enters the game against the Lady Lions with a record of 4-8. The Blue Knights have won their last two games and will play Ferris State before taking on Lindenwood.

Urbana is averaging 61.8 points on offense and surrendering 71.8 on defense. The Blue Knights are shooting 38 percent from the field, 28.7 percent from the three-point line, and 68.9 percent from the free-throw line.

The Blue Knights are led by a trio of double-digit scorers. Ciara Geiger leads the way with an average of 15.1 points. Andrea Vogel and Jessica Saffold both average 10.4 points. Saffold is also leading the team in rebounds with 9.3.

Maria Marchesano was named the Blue Knights head coach in December. She has led the team to a 2-0 record.