Box Score With 11 minutes 59 seconds left in Monday's MIAA game, Lindenwood senior Caroline Bourlioux took a bounce pass in the paint from senior Marissa Lehnig, scored and was fouled. Bourlioux made her free throw and tied Emporia State University 46-46.

About 12 minutes stood between the Lady Lions and an upset of the No. 3 ranked unbeaten team in Division II women's basketball. As hard as the Lady Lions fought to keep pace with the Lady Hornets, they couldn't overcome their size and the shooting of senior guard Laura Patrick who scored a game-high 22 points.

Emporia State improved to 14-0 overall and 5-0 in the MIAA with an 81-66 win over the Lady Lions at Hyland Arena. After winning their first six games of the season at home, the Lady Lions (8-5, 3-3) lost their second straight. 

"This is our fifth loss, and in all five losses we've either been tied or had the lead in the second half," said Lindenwood coach Tony Francis who was called for a technical foul with 4:27 left in the game. "These kids are close. But we let physical play get to us tonight. We didn't shoot confidently. This is what we have to learn from."

The Lady Lions have lost the first two games in 2014, but it's been obvious all season they're light years ahead of the four-win team from a year ago. Despite giving up a considerable amount of size to the Lady Hornets, the Lady Lions attacked the basket throughout the game.

Especially guard Jenny Rocha whose drives to the basket helped her get to the free-throw line nine times. Rocha made six free throws and finished with 14 points. It's the fifth straight game she's scored in double figures.

"We talked about being aggressive and going to the hole, and they've got some big kids inside," Francis said. "I thought we did some nice things to earn trips to the foul line."

Also scoring in double figures for the Lady Lions was Bourlioux (17), Kassidy Gengenbacher (11) and Lehnig (11). Four Lady Hornets scored in double figures and Kionna Kellog (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Merissa Quick (12 points, 11 rebounds) each had double-doubles.

A key to the Lady Hornets' victory was three-point shooting. They made 9 of 18 shots from behind the arc while the Lady Lions were 0 for 7.

The Lady Lions travel to Hays, Kan. Thursday to play conference rival Fort Hays State. Tip off is 5:30 p.m.