The Lindenwood women's basketball (6-5, 3-1 GLVC) earned an 82-71 victory over Illinois Springfield (7-4, 2-3 GLVC) on Thursday night inside Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo.
 
GAME OVERVIEW
The Lions were down early in the game, which started to flip at the 4:18 mark of the first quarter when the Prairie Stars held a 17-9 lead.  Lindenwood began to feed Julia Ruzevich in the paint, and she caught fire.  In the final four minutes, Ruzevich tallied eight points while Devin Fuhring ended the first quarter with four assists.  Ellen McCorkle put Lindenwood up 25-19 at the break, after knocking down a three-pointer with less than 30 seconds remaining.
 
Illinois Springfield opened the second frame with a three pointer, as both teams traded blows throughout the next 10 minutes.  Neither team gained an edge more than four points, as the first half ended in a 38-38 tie.  Ruzevich was 7-of-11 from the floor, and she pulled down seven boards in the first 20 minutes.
 
Lindenwood increased its offensive production in the second half, as McCorkle knocked down a three pointer at the 8:17 mark to put Lindenwood ahead 46-40.  The Lions held just a three-point lead after three quarters, but they put the pedal down in the final frame.  Fuhring scored five points in the first three minutes to put Lindenwood in front by double digits.
 
The Lions continued to feed the post, which secured the 82-71 win on Thursday.  Ruzevich went off for 28 points, with an impressive 18 rebounds.  The Orland Park, Ill. native added three steals, two blocks, and two assists to go along with her 10-of-16 shooting from the field.  Ruzevich registered her seventh double-double of the season, as her 18 rebounds marked a career high.  McCorkle tallied a season-best 25 points and contributed eight rebounds, while Fuhring finished the night with 11 points and six assists.
 
GAME LEADERS
Julia Ruzevich (28 PTS, 18 REB, 3 STL, 2 AST, 2 BLK)
Ellen McCorkle (25 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST)
Devin Fuhring (11 PTS, 6 AST, 2 REB, 2 BLK)
 
UP NEXT
Lindenwood will head to Quincy, Ill. on Saturday to take on Quincy at 1:00 p.m.