The Lindenwood women's basketball team fell in its season opener, 110-69, to Drury on Sunday afternoon.

Senior Julia Ruzevich led the Lions with 23 points and 14 rebounds, for her second-career double-double. It marked the 18th time in J. Ruzevich's career that she reached double figures in scoring, and the first time she reached the 20-point plateau. Hennessey Handy (18) and Devin Fuhring (12) also contributed a combined 30 points.

Freshman Grace Neff made the first start of her career, as she dished out a team-leading eight assists for Lindenwood.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Fuhring put up the first two points of the Lions' season, with a driving layup early in the first quarter. J. Ruzevich gave the team a one-point lead on a second chance layup with 5:03 left in the first period. Entering the first media timeout, Lindenwood trailed 13-11, as the Panthers opened up the lead to six points, 17-11.
• The Lions evened up the game three separate times in the second quarter, but were never able to gain the lead. Handy led all Lindenwood scorers in the quarter as she tallied nine points with zero turnovers.
• At the half, J. Ruzevich recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds, while also notching a steal. Handy also had 11 points in the first half for the team.
• The Lions cut the Panthers' third quarter lead to five on a Fuhring layup, but the team was never able to put a run together, as Drury outscored Lindenwood, 28-23, in the period.
• Freshman Kendra Lee recorded the first two points of her career on a driving layup late into the fourth quarter.

BOX SCORE LEADERS

• J. Ruzevich was the team's leader in points with 23. Handy (18) and Fuhring (12) also reached double-digit scoring.
• J. Ruzevich led the team with 14 rebounds. Handy and Fuhring secured six and four rebounds, respectively.
• Neff, making her first collegiate start, was the team's leader in assists with eight.
• Three different Lions recorded a steal in the contest (Handy, Fuhring, and J. Ruzevich)
• Handy shot 7-8 from the free throw line, as she finished with the most made free throws between both teams.

UP NEXT
Lindenwood will travel to St. Louis, Mo. to take on the Maryville Saints on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 5:15 p.m.