Box Score Lindenwood University coach Tony Francis said he scheduled the Lady Lions first two games in Arkansas and Tennessee so they could get used to play in tough environments.

In a hot Bruce Hall Gymnasium against an athletic team Monday night in Memphis, Francis watched the women's basketball team he coaches survive on foreign soil and pick up their first win of the season. The Lady Lions beat LeMoyne-Owen College 76-44 and improved to 1-1. The win snapped the Lady Lions' 10-game losing streak on the road.

"It's great to get that first win," Francis said. "The girls showed toughness and improved from Saturday's loss."

The Lady Lions lost 84-74 to the University of Arkansas at Monticello Saturday, although they led 11-0. Lindenwood held a comfortable 16-point lead at halftime against the Lady Magicians and unlike Saturday, held off any comeback attempts.

Francis said the NCAA made it clear officials would call hand checking tighter this season, and that's what he's seen through two games. Francis said the rule was being strengthened to clean up the game and allow more scoring.

"We're trying to get points in the transition and attack the rim before the defense sets up," Francis said. "We're more of a system team. We like to pass sharp and set good screens."

Scoring continues to be spread out among the Lady Lions. Junior Julie Hlinak made 6 of 9 field goals and 3 of 4 free throws to lead the Lady Lions with 15 points. Hlinak also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Senior Marissa Lehnig scored 14 points and has 30 points in the Lady Lions first two games. Freshman Kassidy Gengenbacher (12 points) was the other Lindenwood player to score in double figures.

Although none of the Lady Lions reached double figures in rebounds, they pounded the boards with 52 rebounds; the Lady Magicians had 36. 

The Mark Twain Building at the University of Missouri-St. Louis is the Lady Lions next stop before their first home game Nov. 19  at Hyland Arena. Lindenwood (1-1) tips off against UM-St. Louis Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The Tritons (0-0) beat Saint Louis University 59-52 in their exhibition game.