WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW: Lions at #16 Central Oklahoma
WHEN: Jan. 6 | 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Edmond, Oklahoma
LIVE STATS: http://www.sidearmstats.com/uco/wbball/
LIVE VIDEO: http://www.themiaanetwork.com/lindenwoodlions/
LIVE AUDIO: http://www.themiaanetwork.com/lindenwoodlions/
Lindenwood Notes:
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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 (12.2, third), defensive rebounds per game (8, eighth) and double-doubles (10, fourth). Bildner also is 33rd in the nation at 19.3 points per game.
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Charisse Williams has 93 career steals, LWU's active leader.
- The Lions come out of the gates strong, averaging 20.8 points in the first quarter. Lindenwood averages a 8.9 point scoring margin in first quarters this season. Additionally, the Lions score 23.9 points in the third quarter coming out of halftime.
-The Lions feature of pair of forwards in
Kallie Bildner and
Gabby Walker that score 19.3 and 14.0 points per game, respectively. Bildner leads the MIAA in rebounding (12.2 per game) while Walker is third in the conference in field goal percentage (.589).
- The Lions have been crashing the boards in 2017-18. Lindenwood is second in NCAA DII in rebounding margin at 13.6. As a team, the Lions are 18th in rebounds per game (44.4).
- The Lions have scored 100 points in a game twice this season. Lindenwood defeated Central Christian College of the Bible 113-30 on Dec. 1, setting program records for points in a game and margin of victory. The Lions then scored 112 points against Robert Morris-Springfield on Dec. 19, the second-most points in a single game in Lion history. There have only been 22 games this season with scores higher than 110 points in all of NCAA DII.
- Lindenwood is sixth in NCAA DII with 82.9 points per game. They are on pace to score 2,321 points this season, which would be second all-time at Lindenwood.
- In addition to electric offense, the Lions have displayed stout defense. Lindenwood is 31st in the NCAA in scoring defense at 57.6 points allowed per game. The Lions are 20th in steals (155) and 39th in blocks (56). Opponents have been held to 25.0% shooting from three against the Lions this season, the 17th-best mark in the NCAA.
- The Lions are 10th in the NCAA in field goal percentage. Lindenwood shoots 47.3% from the field this season. The Lion record for field goal percentage is .468, recorded in the 1992-93 season.
- 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.
- 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 99-113, one win shy of 100 career victories.
UCO Notes:
- The Bronchos are #16 in the latest NCAA DII Coaches Poll and have a 13-1 overall record with a 4-1 ledger in MIAA action.
- UCO boasts a solid team defense. The Bronchos allow 55.1 points per game, 16th in the NCAA. UCO also has 69 blocks (12th in NCAA), 33.2% FG% defense (eighth in NCAA) and 26.3% 3FG% defense (37th in NCAA).
- Jesheon Cooper is one of the top players for UCO. She is 12th in NCAA DII with 34 blocks and sixth with eight defensive rebounds per game. Cooper has posted nine double-doubles this season.
- Melinda Murillo is the top scorer for the Bronchos with 16.1 points per game, fourth in the MIAA.
- Blake Blessington is the best free throw shooter in the conference with a 93% shooting percentage from the line (sixth in the NCAA).
Series Notes
- Last season, Lindenwood and UCO played twice, with the Bronchos knocking the Lions out of the MIAA tournament 84-82.
- The Lions are 2-8 all-time against UCO.
- In five games against the Bronchos,
Charisse Williams has scored 9.0 points per game.
