The Lindenwood women's basketball team (2-10, 0-2 OVC) dropped its first road conference game at Western Illinois (11-3. 2-1 OVC) by a score of 74-58 on Saturday afternoon in Macomb, Ill.

GAME OVERVIEW
Ellie Brueggemann got the scoring started for Lindenwood after knocking down a three-pointer at the 8:24 mark, that put the Lions ahead 3-2. The defensive intensity was high for both teams in the opening frame, as the two squads combined for 13 turnovers, with seven of them coming from Westen Illinois. After another Brueggeman three late in the quarter, Lindenwood held a 14-10 lead after one quarter.

Western Illinois started the second quarter on a 6-0 run to regain the lead. It was a back-and-forth quarter after the run. Mykayla Cunningham knocked down a mid range jumper halfway through the frame which put the Lions up 21-18. The Leathernecks responded with an 8-1 run to go up 26-22 and the road team would hold a 29-25 advantage at the break. Makayla Wallace stuffed the stat sheet with three points, four rebounds and, four steals and three assists.

Western Illinois opened the third quarter on a 13-2 run, which ballooned the Leathernecks lead to 42-27. Lindenwood was able to cut the opposition lead to eight at 46-38 after a Justis Odom layup. WIU would end the frame strong and take a 56-41 lead into the fourth.

The Lions were unable to close the gap in the fourth and fell 74-58. Brueggemann finished with a team-high 13 points and joined Cunnigham as the two Lindenwood players in double figures.

GAME LEADERS
Justis Odom (nine points, four rebounds)
Ellie Brueggeman (13 points, three 3PT FG)
Mykayla Cunningham (10 points, one rebound)

UP NEXT
The Lions will travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo. for a 5:00 p.m. tip with SEMO on Thursday, January 11.