The Lindenwood women's basketball team (8-8, 8-8 GLVC) dropped its third-straight contest in a 77-68 loss to William Jewell (10-9, 10-9 GLVC).

After the first half of play, Lindenwood held a 36-33 lead over William Jewell. The Lions shot 13-30 (43.3 percent) from the field in the opening half, 5-13 (38.5 percent) on threes, and 5-6 (83.3 percent) at the free throw line. The Lions' biggest lead in the first half was 10 points late in the second quarter. Lindenwood received 16 first half points in the paint, and 11 points on second chance opportunities. The team's bench was outscored by the Cardinals, 10-0.

Unable to hold onto the lead, the Lions were outscored in the second half, 44-32. Lindenwood committed 12 turnovers as a team, and the Cardinals converted those turnovers into 19 points. After holding a five-point lead at the seven minute mark in the third period, William Jewell would retake the lead and never look back. Lindenwood was outscored in the paint, 26-10, in the final 20 minutes. In the game, Jewell scored 25 bench points to the Lions' zero.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Lions shot 40.0 percent in the first quarter, but were 0-7 on threes, as they finished the first 10 minutes down one, 15-14.
• Lindenwood outscored William Jewell in the paint in the first period, 12-6.
• Hennessey Handy led the team with six first quarter points.
• The Lions were efficient in the second period from deep, going 5-6 on three-pointers.
• The team outscored the Cardinals, 22-18, in the second quarter.
• Entering halftime, the Lions held a three-point lead, 36-33.
• After struggling shooting in the third period, Lindenwood entered the fourth quarter down, 50-49.
• The Cardinals exploded in the fourth quarter with 27 points to the Lions' 19.

BOX SCORE LEADERS

• Julia Ruzevich led with 22 points. Handy had 15, Ellen McCorkle added 14, and Devin Fuhring finished with 12.
• J. Ruzevich also recorded a team-high 14 rebounds. McCorkle notched 11, as both players finished with a double-double.
• Grace Neff led the team with two assists.
• J. Ruzevich tallied a team-best two blocks.
• Five different Lions recorded a steal in the contest.

RECORD NOTES

• J. Ruzevich made a career-best 10 free throws on a career-high 13 attempts.

FOLLOW ALONG
For more information on Lindenwood women's basketball, follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @LindenwoodWBB and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LUwbball/.

UP NEXT
The Lions play Missouri-St. Louis on Thursday at 5:00 p.m.