GAME OVERVIEW
Lindenwood women's basketball opened the 2019-20 regular season with an 83-78 victory over former MIAA rival Pittsburg State. Senior forward Kallie Bildner scored 35 points in the game, the most by a Lion in the NCAA era of Lindenwood athletics and just six points shy of the program record. It is the most points scored by a Lion since Cristina Edwards scored 35 against Graceland on Jan. 8, 2010. The Lindenwood record was set by Jamie Bonney with 41 points against Bethany on March 10, 2000.

The Lions trailed the Gorillas 63-53 headed into the fourth quarter. However, Lindenwood exploded for 30 points in the fourth, on 10-15 shooting and 10-13 from the line. Lindenwood trailed for most of the quarter, but drew even with Pitt State at 70-70 with 5:22 to play. Both teams traded buckets until 2:48 when Kallie Bildner made a layup in the paint to take the lead 76-74. From there, the Gorillas came within three on a deep three from Tristan Gegg to take the score to 81-78 with 45 seconds to play. After both teams missed a few shots, PSU had the ball with seven seconds remaining. The Gorillas were able to get a three-pointer off, but a clutch block from Julia Ruzevich and rebound from Bildner forced PSU into a foul. Bildner hit the ensuing free throws to extend the lead to 83-78. Pitt State got a final three point attempt off, but it was off the mark to solidify the win for Lindenwood. 

NOTABLE
- Kallie Bildner's 35 points are a career best for the senior, topping her 33-point performance against Lincoln on Feb. 11, 2017. Of her 33 points, 14 came in the fourth quarter when Bildner was 4-4 from the field and 6-6 from the line. 
- The 35 points are the most in the NCAA era at Lindenwood, tied for third on the all-time single-game list. 
- Bildner also grabbed 14 rebounds, giving her a double-double. Last seaosn, she was 16th in NCAA DII with 16 double-doubles.
- Bildner was 9-9 from the line. She holds the Lindenwood record for free throw percentage in a game with a 16-16 showing in 2017. 
- Julia Ruzevich was 6-12 from the field, scoring 18 points with four rebounds.
- Hennessey Handy scored 14 points in the game.
- Lindsay Medlen directed the offense to the tune of nine assists with seven rebounds and six points.
- Kate Ruzevich grabbed 10 boards against the Gorillas. She also was second on the team with five assists and led the team with two blocks. 
- As a team, the Lions were 33-65 from the field, good for 50.8%, 

UP NEXT
The Lions open a six-game road trip with a pair of contests in Pepper Pike, Ohio at the GMAC/GLIAC/GLVC Challenge. Lindenwood takes on Walsh on Nov. 16 and Ursuline on Nov. 17.