The Lindenwood women's basketball team (2-12, 0-4 OVC) dropped a close game to Tennessee State (5-10, 2-3 OVC) by a score of 83-80 on Saturday afternoon in Nashville, Tenn.

GAME OVERVIEW
It was a slow start for both teams in the opening quarter with the score sitting at 6-5 after the first media timeout. The Lions used an 8-3 run, capped off by an Alyssa Nielsen jumper to take a 14-9 lead. Lindenwood took its largest lead of the opening quarter after a Mya Skoff offensive rebound and a converted and one, pushing the lead to 17-10. However, the Tigers used a 10-2 run to end the quarter and take a 20-19 lead into the second quarter.

The back-and-forth battle continued into the second quarter as the half featured 12 lead changes. A bright spot for the Lions in the frame was Nielsen who had seven points in the middle stanza. Tennessee State nailed a last second three pointer and held a 40-36 advantage after 20 minutes. On the defensive end, the Lions forced 11 turnovers.

Both teams opened the second half with hot shooting starts. Overall, the Lions shot 71 percent in the third as Ellie Brueggemann finished the frame with 10 points with the help of four field goals. The Owasso, Okla. native hit back-to-back threes to pull the Lions within three at 53-50. The Tigers responded, going on a 7-0 run to go up by 10. TSU would maintain its advantage and lead 67-55 after three.

Despite the deficit heading into the fourth, the Lions kept battling. With just under seven minutes to go, trailing 74-60, Lindenwood went on an 8-0 run with the help of six points from Makayla Wallace. From that point, each team traded buckets until another mini spirt from the black and gold that made the score 80-76 with just over two minutes to go. The Tigers were able to hang onto the lead however and earn an 83-80 win. Four Lindenwood players finished the day in double figures.

GAME LEADERS
Ellie Brueggemann (18 points, eight rebounds, two blocks)
Alyssa Nielsen (13 points, four rebounds, three assists)
Mykayla Cunningham (12 points, four assists)

UP NEXT
The Lions return home for a matchup with SIUE next Thursday night, January 18. Tip-off from Hyland Arena is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.