The Lindenwood women's basketball team dropped its Saturday matchup against Lincoln in a 93-88 loss in Jefferson City, Mo.
 
Kallie Bildner continued her great freshman season with a dominating 33-point, 18-rebound performance for the Lady Lions.  Bildner was 11-of-17 from the field, 1-of-3 from behind the arc, and 10-for-10 at the free-throw line.  Jerricah Butler scored 13 points including a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range.  Sara Ross had a solid all-around game as she picked up 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one steal while going 5-of-6 from the floor.  Lindenwood shot 46 percent from the field and outrebounded the Blue Tigers 51-35, but committed 25 turnovers in the game.
 
The Lady Lions were held to just two points in the first 3:20 of the game as Lincoln jumped out to a 9-2 lead including a three-pointer at the 7:27 mark of the opening frame.  The Blue Tigers used the three-point shot to keep their distance from the Lady Lions and built a lead as much as eight points.  Lindenwood was able to get eight points on second-chance opportunities, but Lincoln did not let up and took a 25-17 lead into the end of the frist quarter.  Lincoln shot 53 percent from the field including 3-of-5 from behind the arc while Lindenwood made just 26 percent from the field.
 
Bildner hit a three-pointer to start the second quarter and spark the Lady Lions on the offensive end of the court.  Ross and Lindsay Medlen were able to get back-to-back buckets and pull within two points with 8:10 left in the first half.  Bre Zanders hit a layup at the 6:29 mark after a great pass from Medlen as Lindenwood tied the game at 28-28.  Zanders put in a layup just one minute later to give Lindenwood its frist lead of the game, but Lincoln scored less than 10 seconds later to tie the game again.  Butler created separation from the Blue Tigers and helped Lindenwood to a two-point lead.  The Lady Lions built on the lead and a three-point shot by Butler with 14 second left in the half put Lindenwood up 40-33 heading into the break.  Lindenwood shot much better in the second quarter at 67 percent and Lincoln shot just 20 percent including 0-for-5 from behind the arc.
 
Butler scored four of the next six points of the second half for Lindenwood to take a 46-36 lead with 8:44 on the clock.  Ross scored on a fast break layup to put the Lady Lions up 54-43, but the Blue Tigers began to chip away at the Lindenwood lead.  Lincoln hit a big three-pointer in the final minute of the third quarter to make it a 62-59 Lindenwood advantage.  The Lady Lions registered 14 points in the paint and eight second-chance points, but Lincoln scored six points off of four Lindenwood turnovers.
 
Lindenwood was held scoreless for the first 2:19 of the fourth quarter as Lincoln regained the lead at 66-64.  The Lady Lions got back on top by four points shortly after, but it would be the last lead Lindenwood saw.  Lincoln tied the game for the fourth time at the 5:46 mark to make it a 70-70 score and from there, took the lead and did not look back.  Lindenwood could not prevent the Blue Tigers from generating quality offensive possessions and eventually ran out of gas in the 93-88 loss.  The Lady Lions scored 50 points in the paint and 27 second-chance points while Lincoln tallied 21 points off of turnovers and made eight three-pointers in the game.

Head Coach Tony Francis was pleased with the effort from his team, but felt the team can get better from the mistakes.
 
"The ladies fought until the end," Francis opened.  "Ultimately, out on-ball defense wasn't consistent enough and we didn't value the basketball," continued Francis.  He ended, "We have a quick turnaround and I am looking forward to a great response."
 
Lindenwood drops to 10-13 on the year and 5-10 in the MIAA while Lincoln improves to 4-18 on the season and 3-12 in league play.  The Lady Lions will take on Lincoln again on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in Hyland Arena.