Today's Contest
- The Lady Lions begin 2014 with a home game against MIAA rival Pittsburg State. The Lady Lions won seven of their last eight games in 2013 and are 3-1 in the MIAA. The Gorillas (7-3, 1-0) hadn't played since Dec. 18 before playing an NAIA opponent Thursday. They have three games in the first six days this year. Pittsburg State is 2-0 all-time against Lindenwood. The Gorillas beat the Lady Lions 82-65 last season. The only other time the two schools met was in 1997.
- Pitt. State junior Lizzy Jeronimus (5-foot-11) is third in the MIAA with 18.1 points per game. Jeronimus is seventh in the conference with 7.7 rebounds. Jeronimus is a two-time All- American selection. Jeronimus presents a major challenge for the Lady Lions in the post.
- The Gorillas are coming off of their best season in school history. Last season they won 27 games, had 14 consecutive victories and scored the most points (111) in a game. They qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time in coach Lane Lord's tenure.
Lindenwood Notes
- The Lady Lions have 15 games left in the regular season – eight at Hyland Arena and seven on the road. All of the games are against conference opponents. The Lady Lions need to finish 12-3 to reach 20 wins.
- As of the Dec. 18 rankings, Emporia State (12-0) is ranked third in Division II women's basketball. Emporia State will visit Hyland Arena Monday for a 5:30 tipoff against the Lady Lions.
- Freshman guard
Kassidy Gengenbacher has scored 10 or more points in six consecutive games for the Lady Lions. Gengenbacher's 23 points against Washburn was one point below her season high. Gengenbacher has made 50 of 101 shots and leads the Lady Lions with 13.6 points per game. She leads the Lady Lions in three-point shooting average (.421). Lindenwood coach
Tony Francis said Gengenbacher's play in the first half against Washburn set the tone for the game.
- Sophomore guard
Jenny Rocha has posted seven assists in two of the Lady Lions last three games. Rocha made 7 of 10 baskets against Washburn and finished with 16 points, one below her season high. Francis said Rocha played her most complete game of the season against Washburn.
- Junior guard
Morgan Johnson continues to give the Lady Lions offense a lift with her three-point shooting. Johnson made 3 of 5 shots from behind the arc against Washburn and is shooting .417 from that range this season. She's fourth on the team in scoring (9.3)
- Lindenwood leads the MIAA in field goal percentage (.470). The Lady Lions are ranked 11th in the MIAA in field goal defense (.402).
- Senior
Marissa Lehnig came off the bench to score eight points and register four assists against Washburn. Lehnig is tied for second on the Lady Lions in scoring (12.6 points) with senior
Caroline Bourlioux.
- Senior
Cassie Bluemner has made 4 of 8 three-point attempts this season. In 82 career games, Bluemner has made 35 of 123 shots from three-point range. Her career high for three-pointers in a season is 12.
- Francis won his 50th game as head coach of the Lady Lions against Washburn. The Lady Lions had not had a winning season in the nine seasons prior to hiring Francis in 2010. They won 21 games as a member of NAIA in his first season at the helm. Francis was an assistant coach at Saint Louis University for eight seasons prior to joining Lindenwood.
Last Time Out
- After finishing 6-0 at Hyland Arena, the Lady Lions were tasked with playing two conference games the weekend before Christmas. Their six-game winning streak was snapped with a loss in Kearney, Neb., but the Lady Lions bounced back with a 85-80 win over Washburn in Topeka, Kan. in a rare Sunday game.
- The Ichabods have won the last two MIAA regular season titles. They've made 13 straight trips to the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Lady Lions held them to 31 percent shooting from the field as they built a commanding 44-28 halftime lead.
- MIAA leading scorer Casyn Buchman made 12 of 23 shots and scored a game-high 27 points for the Ichabods. Lindenwood freshman
Kassidy Gengenbacher led the Lady Lions with 23 points.
- Lindenwood guard
Jenny Rocha scored 16 points, with seven assists and six rebounds.
Pittsburg State Notes
- Like the Lady Lions, the Gorillas have a double-digit scorer that comes off the bench. Junior guard Morgan Westhoff is second on the Gorillas with 10.5 points per game. She leads the Gorillas with 25 three-point baskets.
- In the Gorillas' only MIAA game this season Dec. 5, they beat Northwest Missouri 57-55. The Gorillas survived after a late 11-3 run by the Bearcats cut their lead to a point. Lizzy Jeronimus and Antqunita Reed led the Gorillas with 11 points.
- The Gorillas defense guards the three-point shot (.281) very well but are close to the bottom of the MIAA in three-point shooting (.294). The Gorillas are fourth in the MIAA in blocks per game (3.5).
