Box Score Despite being tied at halftime and forcing two ties and a lead change with less than ten minutes left to go in the game, the Lindenwood women's basketball team could not hold on as they fell to Missouri Western by a score of 65-59 in St. Joseph, Mo.
Down by as many as eight in the first half, the Lady Lions found means to keep it a close ball game. With six-straight points just moments before the second media, Lindenwood pulled to within two of Missouri Western to erase the eight point deficit.
Both squads battled back-and-forth in the final four minutes of the half, creating two lead changes and two ties before heading into the locker room tied at 23-all.
Sarah Schnieders made the final basket of the half to create that second tie of the half.
Missouri Western jumped out to a quick 9-0 run to start the second half before the Lady Lions proved once again that they were not out of the ball game. With 14:54 left in the game, the Griffons were up by 12 before Lindenwood sparked a 15-3 run to create the third tie of the ball game.
That same trend happened once again. Missouri Western retaliated and built their lead back up to eight with 6:36 left in the half before Lindenwood came back and regained the lead with 1:30 left in the game.
Two turnovers in a minute stretch along with getting into foul trouble hurt the Lady Lions as Missouri Western pulled away in the final 33 seconds of the game.
Schnieders led the Lady Lions offensively with 16 points.
Marissa Lehnig added 15 of her own while
Caroline Bourlioux contributed 13 and
Julie Hlinak recorded 11.
The Lady Lions shot 41.2 percent from the field while holding Missouri Western to a 35.4 percent clip. Lindenwood committed 28 turnovers compared to 27 by Missouri Western, but the primary difference in the contest was the rebound battle. Missouri Western held the Lady Lions to just 34 rebounds while snagging 49 themselves.
Lindenwood falls to 4-10 on the season and 1-5 in the MIAA. The Lady Lions will return home on Saturday to take on Lincoln. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
