Today's Contest
- This is the final game of the Lady Lions six-game homestand. They are a perfect 5-0 since it began Nov. 19. The Lady Lions are 6-2 overall and tied with Missouri Southern at 2-0 to lead the MIAA. The Lady Lions had a week off after beating Northeastern State 63-50 on Dec. 7.
- Missouri S&T is 4-3 overall and 0-1 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Lady Miners lost 76-59 to Drury in their last game on Dec. 5. The Lady Miners are led by coach Alan Eads who has won more games (148) than any women's basketball coach in school history. The Lady Miners have a winning record six times in the last seven years.
- It's almost been exactly a year since the Lady Miners ripped the Lady Lions 70-47 in Rolla.
Caroline Bourlioux was held scoreless for the Lady Lions, who shot 31.6 percent from the field.
Cassie Bluemner had nine points and six rebounds for the Lady Lions. Toni Knar made four 3-point baskets and scored 12 points for the Lady Miners.
Lindenwood Notes
- With three games left in 2013, the Lady Lions are enjoying their longest winning streak in three seasons. The last time the Lady Lions won six straight games was Jan. 6-22, 2011. During the Lady Lions five-game winning streak, they've outscored their opponents 82.6-64.6.
- The Lady Lions are 4-0 since freshman
Kassidy Gengenbacher replaced junior
Julie Hlinak in the starting lineup. Lindenwood coach
Tony Francis made the switch Nov. 21 against Harris-Stowe because Hlinak was struggling shooting from the field. The move had a positive influence on both players. Gengenbacher was averaging 8.3 points coming off the bench, and is now third on the team in scoring (11.6) and ninth in the MIAA in field goal percentage (.529). Hlinak's scoring average jumped from 5.8 to 7.4.
- Four Lady Lions are averaging double-figure scoring: senior
Marissa Lehnig (13.1 points), senior
Caroline Bourlioux (12.4), Gengenbacher (11.6) and junior
Morgan Johnson (11.0). The Lady Lions have the third-ranked scoring offense in the MIAA. The Lady Lions average 77.6 points. Fort Hays State leads the MIAA with 85.6 points.
- MIAA preseason favorite Emporia State (8-0) is the only MIAA team still unbeaten. Emporia State is outscoring its opponents by 21 points per game. The Lady Lions play the Hornets Jan. 6 in Emporia, Kan. The Hornets drilled the Lady Lions 85-54 last season.
- Since scoring a season-high 23 points against McKendree Nov. 19 and following that with 20 points against Harris-Stowe Nov. 21, Lehnig's scoring average has dropped from 16.8 points to 13.1 points, but her steals average has climbed from 1.0 to 2.1. Lehnig and Bourlioux are tied for fifth in the MIAA in steals per game.
- When the Lady Lions sputter on offense, Johnson starts launching the three-pointers, and she's becoming a dangerous shooter. Johnson's average of .436 from three-point range is second in the MIAA. Pittsburg State University's Morgan Westhoff (.479) is first in the MIAA.
- Freshman
Bre Zanders has played in all eight games and is second on the Lady Lions with 14 offensive rebounds. Zanders had the go-ahead basket against Northeastern State after Bourlioux was injured.
- Junior
Meagan Hittle gives the Lady Lions quality minutes at guard off the bench. Hittle has played in 105 minutes and has more assists (9) than turnovers (7).
Last Time Out
- The Lady Lions won their fifth straight game and improved to 2-0 in the MIAA with a 63-50 victory over Northeastern State University (Okla.). For the second straight contest, the Lady Lions led by a point at halftime and scored at least 40 points in the second half.
- Three Lady Lions scored in double figures against the RiverHawks. Junior
Morgan Johnson was the high scorer for the Lady Lions for the second straight game with 14 points. Johnson also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Junior
Julie Hlinak scored 13 points and had three rebounds. Freshman
Kassidy Gengenbacher scored 12 points and had a team-high five assists.
- Senior forward
Caroline Bourlioux left the game in the second half with an injury and did not return. The Lady Lions were trailing by a point at the time but went on a 13-0 run and took control of the game after she was hurt.
Missouri S&T Notes
- The Lady Lions and Lady Miners have played two common opponents this season. The Lady Lions lost 84-74 to University of Arkansas at Monticello in their season opener Nov. 9. The Lady Miners beat Arkansas-Monticello 79-74 Nov. 16. The Lady Lions beat Harris-Stowe 84-73 Nov. 21. The Lady Miners beat Harris-Stowe two days later 80-70.
- Senior guard Toni Knar (5-foot-9) is one of the top three-point shooters in the history of the Lady Miners. Knar tied the school record with seven three-pointers in a game last season and has made 16 of 29 (.552) from behind the arc this season. Knar is second on the Lady Miners in scoring with 12.7 points per game.
