WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Lions vs. Emporia State
WHEN: Dec. 17 | 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: St. Charles, Mo. (Hyland Arena)
LIVE STATS: http://www.sidearmstats.com/lindenwood/wbball/
LIVE VIDEO/AUDIO: http://www.themiaanetwork.com/lindenwoodlions/

Lions vs. Robert Morris-Springfield
WHEN: Dec. 19 | 1 p.m.
WHERE: St. Charles, Mo. (Hyland Arena)
LIVE STATS: http://www.sidearmstats.com/lindenwood/wbball/
LIVE VIDEO/AUDIO: http://www.themiaanetwork.com/lindenwoodlions/

Lindenwood Notes:
- Kallie Bildner is one of the top performing players in the NCAA this season. The sophomore forward is ranked in the top 10 nationally in rebounds per game (12.0, fourth), defensive rebounds per game (8, seventh) and double-doubles (7, third). 
- Against Southern Arkansas on Nov. 10, Bildner was 16-16 from the free throw line, the best such performance by a Lion in the NCAA era. She is the second Lion to ever record the feat (Jamie Bonney on 1/29/2000). The LWU record for free throws made is 19 by Jamie Bonney on March. 10, 2000.
- The Lions come out of the gates strong, averaging 20.7 points in the first quarter. Lindenwood averages a 9.5 point scoring margin in first quarters this season. Additionally, the Lions score 23.7 points in the third quarter coming out of a timeout. The Lindenwood scoring margin in the third quarter is 8.4 points. 
- Lindsey Medlen is distributing the ball well for the Lions this season. She is 41st in the NCAA with 45 assists. As a team, the Lions are 28th in the NCAA with 175 assists. 
- The Lions have been crashing the boards in 2017-18.  Lindenwood is second in NCAA DII in rebounding margin at 12.7. As a team, the Lions are 41st in rebounds per game (42.7).
- Lindenwood is ninth in NCAA DII with 82.1 points per game. They are on pace to score 2,340 points this season, which would be second all-time at Lindenwood.
- Earlier this season, the Lions defeated Central Christian College of the Bible 113-30, setting program records for points scored in a game and margin of victory. Additionally, Lindenwood had 32 team assists, the second-highest single-game total in program history. 
- Kallie Bildner has played well this season inside Hyland Arena. At home, she posts 21.8 points per game with 12.7 rebounds per game. 
- As a team, the Lions score 87.5 points per game at home while holding opponents to 44.3 point per game. From the field, Lindenwood shoots .482 at Hyland with a .323 percentage from three and .774 from the line. 
- Lindenwood was selected seventh in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll. The Lions return four starters from last year's team that advanced to the MIAA semifinals, battling then-No. 25 Central Oklahoma to an 84-82 nail-biter. 
- Head coach Tony Francis enters his eighth season at Lindenwood as the program's only coach in the NCAA era. He has a career record of 96-112. 

Emporia State Notes:
- Emporia State enters Hyland Arena with a 7-2 overall record and a 3-0 mark in MIAA action. 
- Emporia State is one of the top shooting teams in the MIAA. The Hornets shoot .381 from three, the top mark in the conference. Additionally ESU shoots .447 from the field, third in the conference. 
- Twice this season, the Hornets have shot 56% from three in a single game, the highest mark in the conference. 
- Tyra Jones shoots .739 from the field, the top mark in the MIAA this season. She averages 15.8 points per game, tied for fourth in the conference. 

ESU Series Notes:
- Last season, Lindenwood and Emporia State played one time with the Hornets defeating the Lions 85-51 in Emporia, Kan. on Dec. 19.
- The Lions have never defeated ESU head coach Jori Collins. They are 0-5 all-time against him. 

Robert Morris-Springfield Notes:
- Robert Morris-Springfield enters Hyland Arena with a 1-10 overall record, most recently falling to Principia College in Elsah, Ill.
- The Lions are 2-0 all-time against RMU-S. The last meeting between the programs was on Feb. 2, 2017 with Lindenwood winning 101-35.