Today's Contest
- The Lady Lions (4-2) open their MIAA schedule against the University of Central Oklahoma (5-2). The Lady Lions are a half-game behind the Bronchos in the overall standings. The Bronchos started the season 4-0, but lost two games in a tournament in Denton, Texas Nov. 23-24. The Bronchos bounced back by beating Southwestern Oklahoma 98-75 Nov. 27. Sisters Olivia and Julia Mason led the Bronchos with 16 points each.
- The Bronchos finished 9-17 overall and 2-16 in the MIAA last season. They were ranked 11th in the Preseason Coaches Poll. The Bronchos return eight lettermen and two starters.
- The Lady Lions beat the Bronchos 81-77 on Jan. 12 and it was their final victory of the 2012-13 season.
Julie Hlinak led the Lady Lions with 23 points against the Bronchos.
Caroline Bourlioux and
Marissa Lehnig also scored in double figures.
Lindenwood Notes
- Coach
Tony Francis took the Lady Lions on the road for two exhibition games against Division I schools, then to two foreign gyms in Arkansas and Tennessee to help build team unity. The Lady Lions have responded by winning their last three games and have been making the Hyland Arena a tough place to visit. A veteran-led Central Oklahoma team will put all of that to the test tonight.
- Three freshmen have made an impact during the winning streak.
Kassidy Gengenbacher,
Bre Zanders and
Traci Keller all appear to be the kind of players that can help the Lady Lions compete in the tough MIAA in the future.
- Gengenbacher broke into the starting lineup against Harris Stowe and might be there to stay after her two performances. Gengenbacher is strong driving to the basket and can go up and get rebounds at both ends of the floor. Francis said Gengenbacher is learning every day, and there's never a question how hard she'll bring it to every practice and game. "She loves competition and expects greatness from herself and the team," Francis said.
- Zanders' playing time is increasing incrementally as she learns to play more in control and under the radar of the refs. Zanders leads the Lady Lions with 22 personal fouls, but she's starting to assert herself under the basket at both ends of the court.
- Keller ran the offense in place of
Jenny Rocha late in the second half against Robert Morris and proved she can move the ball quickly and efficiently. Francis said he liked the energy Keller brought to the floor. Against Robert Morris, the Lady Lions were very solid handling the ball with just 13 turnovers.
- After scoring 20 or more points in her previous two games, senior
Marissa Lehnig finished with four against Robert Morris. Lehnig only shot the ball six times and didn't attempt a free throw. Her lack of scoring didn't mean she wasn't a big part of the win though, as she had three assists and three steals.
- Junior
Morgan Johnson started against Robert Morris, but only played 16 minutes. Johnson gives the Lady Lions quality minutes and she made 6 of 8 shots, including 3 of 5 from three-point range. She leads the Lady Lions with 10 three-pointers this season.
- Senior
Cassie Bluemner more than doubled her season scoring average to 3.4 points per game with an outstanding shooting performance against Robert Morris.
Last Time Out
- Lindenwood turned in one of its most dominating performances in years in its 106-60 rout of Robert Morris-Springfield. It was the first time in five years the Lady Lions surpassed the 100-point mark. The Lady Lions are averaging 80 points per game.
- The Lady Lions are 2-0 since inserting freshman
Kassidy Gengenbacher into the starting lineup. Gengenbacher scored a team-high 24 points against Robert Morris. The 5-10 guard boosted her season scoring average to 11.0.
- Senior
Caroline Bourlioux tied senior
Marissa Lehnig with her fifth game of 10 or more points. Bourlioux had 14 points, five rebounds and six assists against Robert Morris. She's second on the Lady Lions with 13.3 points per game.
- The Lady Lions shot a sizzling 66.7 percent (22 of 33) from the field in the first half and 60 percent (21-35) in the second half.
University of Central Oklahoma Notes
- The Bronchos are led by senior guard Jill Bryan (5-foot-10). Bryan is a three-year starter and is leading the Bronchos in scoring with 15.6 points per game. She is fourth in the MIAA in steals (2.3) and second in minutes played (32.7).
- Senior Britney Morgan has been the Bronchos starting point guard for four years. After an injury-shortened 2011-12 season, Morgan bounced back to start every game last season. Morgan needs 12 three-point baskets to move her into the top five in Bronchos history. Morgan has played in four of the seven games for the Bronchos and is averaging 5.8 points.
- The Bronchos are third in turnover margin (+1.17) in the MIAA and fourth in defensive rebounds (29.2 percent).
