The Lindenwood women's basketball team (0-3) dropped a tough home opener to Emporia State (3-0) by a final of 103-102 in double overtime inside Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo.
 
GAME OVERVIEW
The Lions took a 5-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game, but the Lady Hornets held a 28-25 advantage after the first 10 minutes of play.  Emporia State went up by 10 points near the halfway point of the second half, but the Lions clawed back.
 
Devin Fuhring knocked down a three pointer with 1:55 to go in the half, brining the game within six points.  Fuhring picked up a steal with six seconds remaining and found Gracie Neff for layup in the final second to make it a 46-45 Emporia State lead at the break.  Ellen McCorkle and Julia Ruzevich had identical numbers of 11 points five assists through the first 20 minutes of play.  The Lions accumulated 34 points in the paint, while the Lady Hornets compiled 20 points.
 
In less than one minute, the Lions compiled five points to regain the lead 57-56 after a three-point bucket by Jamie Bain.  Lindenwood kept a lead for the majority of the fourth quarter, but Emporia State took a 77-75 lead with 1:33 to go in the fourth quarter.  The Lions were down by four points with less than 30 seconds remaining in regulation, but Hennessey Handy scored a layup and knocked down a pair of free throws down the stretch to send the game to overtime.
 
After the Lions built a five-point advantage with 3:26 to go in the first overtime, the Lady Hornets fought back to take a 90-88 lead.  Ruzevich worked down low to register a layup in the paint and tie the game, sending the home opener to a second overtime.  Emporia State took an early lead and held on tight, but Lindenwood kept fighting back.  The Lions pulled within one point after a layup by Handy with 17 seconds left in the game.  The Lady Hornets turned the ball over, and McCorkle put Lindenwood ahead with a made bucket with seven seconds left on the clock.  Emporia State made a layup with little time left on the clock, which proved to be the difference in a 103-102 loss for the Lions.
 
GAME LEADERS
Julia Ruzevich (29 PTS, 16 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK)
Ellen McCorkle (22 PTS, 12 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK)
Devin Fuhring (16 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK)
 
UP NEXT
The Lions will head to Pittsburg, Kan. on Wednesday to take on Pittsburg State at 5:30 p.m.