For the first time in program history, the Lindenwood women's basketball team has won the MIAA women's basketball conference tournament. The ninth-seeded Lions defeated the third-seeded Fort Hays State Tigers to secure the program's first title. The Lions are the first ninth-seeded team to win an MIAA Women's Basketball Championship.

The victory gives the Lions the MIAA's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The win also moves Lindenwood to 20-12 overall, the first 20-win season in the NCAA era.
The Lions trailed Fort Hays early, with a 19-9 deficit after the first quarter. The Lions bounced back in the second quarter to out-score the Tigers in the second stanza 18-11. At halftime, the Lions trailed 30-27. Lindenwood sophomore forward Gabby Walker scored 11 points on five-for-10 shooting in the first half.

The Lions and Tigers battled back-and-forth in the third quarter with Lindenwood cutting the deficit to two at the end of the period. The Lions tied the game at 37 with 3:05 remaining and took a one-point lead on a Charisse Williams free throw with 1:01 remaining in the third. However, a late surge from Fort Hays put the score at 40-38 in favor of the Tigers.

In the fourth, the Lions pounced, scoring eight unanswered points to open the fourth. From that point forward, the Lions controlled the lead, holding on for the 58-57 win.
As a team, the Lions played strong defense, holding the Tigers to 29.7% shooting from the field and 8.7% shooting from beyond the arc. The 8.7% shooting from three was the lowest shooting percentage against the Lions this season.

Gabby Walker led the Lions in scoring with 17 points on eight-for-14 shooting from the field. Lindsay Medlen contributed 14 points on five-for-11 shooting.

The Lions find out who they play in tonight's NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Selection Show. The Selection Show begins tonight at 9 p.m. (CT).