The Lindenwood women's basketball team (7-4, 0-1 OVC) dropped its conference opener to Western Illinois (9-1, 1-0 OVC) by a score of 74-65 on Thursday night in Hyland Arena.

GAME OVERVIEW
Lindenwood took an early 8-4 lead after a three by Mya Skoff. The Leathernecks responded with a10-2 run to grab a 14-10 advantage with just under three minutes to go in the quarter. WIU would lead 18-16 after one.

The Lions still trailed by four early in the second but then went on a 10-0 run, capped off by an and-one from Gracie Kelsey who ran the floor and finished a tough layup to put the Black and Gold up 28-22 with 6:51 to go in the middle frame. Western was able to close the gap to one, 34-33 at halftime. Skoff led the Lions with 10 points in the first half, including a pair of threes.

Neither team led by more than three in a quarter that featured 13 lead changes. Lindenwood remained in front by three at the halfway mark of the quarter after a layup by Brooke Coffey. Western took a 51-50 lead following a pair of free throws with five seconds left. However, Skoff went coast-to-coast and converted an and-one to put the Lions up 53-51 after three.

Lindenwood scored the first four points of the fourth to grow the lead. The Lions were up six with seven minutes left, but Western stormed back with a 15-0 run over the next six minutes to grab a 68-59 advantage. The Leathernecks would hang on and win 74-65.

GAME LEADERS
Brooke Coffey (16 points, nine rebounds)
Mya Skoff (15 points, three rebounds)
Ellie Brueggemann (13 points, six assists)

UP NEXT
The Lions will hit the road and take on Eastern Illinois on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.