Game #14
Lindenwood (7-6, 3-1 OVC)
vs. Tennessee State (4-10, 0-4 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Thursday, Jan. 9th, 2025
Location: St. Charles, Mo.
Venue: Robert F. Hyland Arena
Tip-Off: 5:00 p.m. CT
All-Time Series: 1-2
Last Meeting: W, 81-73 (2 OT)
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Watch

Matchup
Lindenwood women's basketball takes their 3-1 Ohio Valley Conference record into Thursday's match-up against Tennessee State University inside Hyland Arena. The Lions have two home OVC match-ups this week starting at 5:00 p.m. CT against TSU on the 9th. Tennessee State is looking for their first OVC win of the season after starting the season 0-4.

The Lions are coming off a 73-59 victory over SIUE on the road last Saturday in Edwardsville, Ill. Lindenwood made the most of their opportunities at the foul line going 21-24 to win their first OVC road game of the season. LU had four double-digit scorers including a career-high 18 points from Gracy Wernli. In 31 minutes of action, Wernli shot 6-12 from the field and 3-6 from three-point range. Mya Skoff also chipped in 14 points while adding five-rebounds and three-assists. The Lions have scored over 70 points only four-times this season including their 73 points against the Cougars. LU shot only 39.0% from the floor, their second lowest FG% in a win this year.

Through 13 games this season, Lindenwood is averaging 65.5 points per game and have scored over 65 points eight times this season including in four out of their last five games. When Lindenwood scores over 65 points this season, the Lions are 5-3 including wins over Tennessee Tech and SIUE. LU has held opponents under 65 points eight times this season including 54 to TTU, their third lowest of the year.

Tennessee State is led by first-year head coach Candice Dupree. A former seven-time WNBA All-Star and assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, Dupree was hired as the 13th head coach in TSU history. During her first season at the helm, she has led the Tigers to a 4-10 record including starting her career with a 2-0 record. They are averaging 63.5 points per game this season while shooting 37.6% from the field.

Player to Watch
Mya Skoff has started off OVC play hot scoring in double figures in three out of the last four games including 14-points against SIUE in a 73-59 win. She shot 5-12 in the win while adding five rebounds and a season-high three assists.

Skoff has started the last four games for Lindenwood as the Lions have posted a 3-1 record during that time. She is averaging 7.9 points per game while shooting 41.0% from the field and 28.1% from three. She is also averaging 3.0 rebounds per game while adding a steal a night.

OVC Preseason Rankings
The Ohio Valley Conference released their 2024-25 women's basketball preseason predicted order of finish earlier this off-season. Lindenwood was selected to finish seventh after going 7-21 a season ago and 5-13 in conference. 

Lindenwood received 81 points in the preseason poll which put them in seventh heading into the season. This marks the highest ranking for a Lindenwood women's basketball team in their three seasons in the league.

The defending OVC Champions Southern Indiana Screaming Eagle were selected to win the OVC after receiving 20 of the 22 first-place votes for a total of 200 points. UT Martin finished in second (180 points, 2 first-place votes) followed by Eastern Illinois (145) and Tennessee Tech (140). Little Rock rounds out the top five followed by Western Illinois, Lindenwood, SIUE, Morehead State, Tennessee State and SEMO.

The Ohio Valley Conference also selected two 'Players To Watch" from each OVC school to start the upcoming season. Brueggemann and newcomer Coffey were tabbed as Lindenwood's players to watch for the 2024-25 season.

Scouting Tennessee State
Tennessee State is averaging 63.5 points per game this season while allowing opponents to score 74.6 a night. As a team, they are shooting 37.6% from the floor while shooting 25.4% from three and 59.8% from the foul line. TSU does average 38.1 rebounds a night while adding just shy of 10 steals (9.6).

The Tigers have four double-digit scorers including leading scorer Somah Kamara who is averaging 15.2 points a game during her freshman season. She has scored over 10 points nine times this season including scoring 29 against UNC Asheville earlier this season.

Head Coach: Amy Eagan
Eagan was named head coach of the Lindenwood women's basketball program on March 28, 2023.

In year one under Eagan, the Lions posted a 7-21 record. Lindenwood found itself in many close games, dropping eight contests by seven points or less. The black and gold led the OVC in turnover margin at +3.68. Ellie Brueggemann had an outstanding freshman campaign, averaging 13.8 points per game, which led to second team and all newcomer selections. Makayla Wallace set a new single season program record for steals with 72. She averaged 2.6 steals per game last season, tied for tops in the conference. It also ranked 24th nationally. 
 
Eagan arrives in St. Charles, Mo. after spending three seasons as the head coach of Drury University women's basketball.  Eagan completed her 14th season as a collegiate head coach, as she had stops at Truman State, Ashford, and St. Ambrose.
 
Eagan brings a career mark of 274-151 (.645) to Lindenwood, including four-straight seasons of 23 or more wins.  Eagan has led three schools to the NCAA Division II tournament for a total of five appearances, as well as one NAIA tournament appearance.  Eagan had claimed five conference titles in her 14 years, including three-straight.

Up Next
Lindenwood continues their two-game home stretch on Saturday, Jan. 11th at 1:00 p.m. CT against the Skyhawks of UT Martin. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.