Game Notes
- Lindenwood steps out of NCAA Division II play with a game against Harris-Stowe State University (NAIA). The Lady Lions and Hornets did not meet last season. This is the second of a six-game homestand for the Lady Lions.
- Four of the five starters for the Hornets are averaging in double-digit scoring. Junior forward Shanique Buford is averaging a double-double with 19 points and 12.7 rebounds. Senior
Caroline Bourlioux is the only Lady Lion starter averaging double-figure scoring.
- The Lady Lions snapped a five-game losing streak at Hyland Arena with Tuesday's win against McKendree. They'll try to win consecutive games for the first time since February 2012. After winning their first two games, the Hornets haven't played since Nov. 9 when they lost 68-60 to Lindenwood-Belleville.
Lindenwood Notes
- Freshman forward
Bre Zanders looked like a completely different player from the UM-St. Louis game Saturday to Tuesday's win against McKendree. After fouling out in five minutes of action against UMSL, Zanders played more under control and was a presence at the basket the Lady Lions sorely need. Zanders had two offensive and two defensive rebounds to go with her four points.
- Sophomore guard
Jenny Rocha leads the Lady Lions with 30.5 minutes per game. Rocha's quick release makes her a solid passer and she leads the team with 15 assists. Against McKendree, Rocha played a complete game and made 4 of 5 field-goal attempts, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
- Junior
Morgan Johnson, a 5-foot-9 transfer from Division I Saint Louis University, gives the Lady Lions confidence and a spark on and off the court. Johnson sank 3 of 5 shots from three-point range against the Bearcats and leads the Lady Lions with six three pointers.
- "Morgan does a lot on the floor, but what she does in the locker room is even better," coach
Tony Francis said after Tuesday's win. "One of the things we liked about her is she can come into the locker room and keep that chemistry for us."
- Another freshman playing well for the Lady Lions is
Kassidy Gengenbacher. She played in 25 minutes against McKendree and had a season-high 13 points. She grabbed rebounds at both ends of the floor and chipped in with an assist and two steals.
- Senior
Caroline Bourlioux led the Lady Lions with nine rebounds against McKendree and is averaging six per game this season. Bourlioux's 12 points were a shade below her season average.
- Lindenwood might have one of the best benches in the MIAA, and they certainly have one of the top players coming off of it. Senior Marissa Lehing, who leads the Lady Lions in scoring this season with 16 points per game, poured in 23 points on 7 of 12 shooting from the field and made 7 of 8 free throws in the home opener. Lehnig set her career high February 2012 against Oakland City with 25 points.
- Four Lady Lions scored in double figures Tuesday. Bourlioux had 12 points, Johnson had 13 and Gengenbacher had 13. The Lady Lions have been shooting around 50 percent from the field in each game and made 53.7 percent of their shots against the Bearcats.
Last Time Out
- Sophomore
Dru Haertling sank a three-point basket with 11:23 left in the first half to tie McKendree 16-16, and the Lady Lions never trailed again in a complete-game effort. Haertling's three-pointer started a 9-0 run. Junior
Morgan Johnson's jump shot gave the Lady Lions their first 10-point edge with 4:27 left in the first half.
- The Lady Lions shot better than 50 percent from the field in each half and shot a blistering 56 percent from the field in the second half.
- Each time the Hornets made a small run to try and get back in the game in the second half, their surge was halted by the Lady Lions at the free-throw line. The Lady Lions made 17 of 23 free throws (.739) and are shooting .718 from the line this season.
- Despite the absence of a dominating presence inside, the Lady Lions have done well against the opposition when it comes to points in the paint. They outscored the Bearcats 32-26 from the paint.
About Harris-Stowe
- The Hornets have fallen on hard times the past few seasons. Their win total has decreased steadily from 10 in 2010-11 to three last season. The Hornets started out this season with a bang as they routed Saint Mary of the Woods College 100-67. Junior forward Shanique Buford led the Hornets with 26 points and 16 rebounds.
- Buford was at it again offensively and on the boards in the Hornets' home opener against University of Great Falls with 19 points and 17 rebounds. The Hornets won 67-48 to improve to 2-0. The Harris-Stowe defense held Great Falls to 14 percent shooting from the field and 15 points in the first half. After allowing the first basket of the game, the Hornets went on a 17-1 run to take command.
