Box Score Lindenwood University was clinging to a three-point lead with 2 minutes 44 seconds left in its game against Harris-Stowe State University when senior Caroline Bourlioux threw the Lady Lions a lifeline.

Bourlioux assisted on three field goals in the final 2:26 and sank a pair of free throws as the Lady Lions held off the Hornets 84-73 in Thursday's non-conference game at Hyland Arena. Bourlioux finished with a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) and the Lady Lions improved to 3-2.

"She's doing exactly what a senior needs to do," Lindenwood coach Tony Francis said. "We overlooked (Harris-Stowe), but take nothing away from them because (coach Dennis Griffin) has done a great job there. We didn't play with the mental focus and discipline we needed to, but Caroline did a lot of nice things late. We got good shots in the second half, but we didn't take them with confidence."

For the second straight game, senior Marissa Lehnig came off the bench and scored 20 points for the Lady Lions. Lehnig leads the Lady Lions with 16.8 points per game. She scored 23 against McKendree Tuesday.

Francis said who starts the game isn't as important as what each player does when they're called to take the court.

"Marissa finds value in what she does," Francis said. "I like to have points and that spark coming off the bench and that's what she does. She understands that role. It's about each of the 14 young ladies executing to the best of their ability in their role and Marissa is doing a great job. We're really proud of her."

Francis tweaked his starting lineup against Harris-Stowe. After starting the same five players in the first four games, he inserted freshman Kassidy Gengenbacher into the starting lineup, replacing junior Julie Hlinak who struggled shooting the previous two games.

After being shutout in Tuesday's win against McKendree, Hlinak responded with seven points and 10 rebounds. Gengenbacher turned in another solid performance with nine points, five rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot.

"I wanted to give Julie a different rhythm," Francis said. "She's struggled the past couple of games and she's a great offensive player. In January and February we need Julie to be clicking on all cylinders to win MIAA games."

Sophomore Dru Haertling was the other Lady Lion to reach double figures in scoring against the Hornets with 13 points. Haertling also had five assists and three rebounds. Freshman Bre Zanders turned in her second straight solid game with six rebounds (three offensive) and three points.

Junior KeAris Vaughn gave the Hornets an early 12-9 lead with a three-point basket, but Lehnig scored the next five points to give the Lady Lions a 14-12 lead they'd never relinquish. With 7:41 left in the first half, sophomore guard Jenny Rocha made a highlight-reel behind-the-back pass to Bourlioux who scored to make it 28-19 Lady Lions. Rocha finished with a season-high seven assists.

The Lady Lions are off until Tuesday when they host Robert Morris-Springfield (Ill.) at 5 p.m.

"With what we went through last year with the growing pains in the new league and the injuries, these girls fought all the way to the very end last year," Francis said. "To get them a win continues to build that confidence and allows us to teach."