The Lindenwood women's basketball team (8-4, 1-1 OVC) picked up its first conference win with an 87-55 victory over Eastern Illinois (1-12, 0-2 OVC) on Sunday afternoon in Charleston, Ill.

GAME OVERVIEW
It was a game of runs early as Lindenwood jumped out to a 12-0 lead behind seven quick points from Brooke Coffey. The Panthers responded with a 10-0 run of their own to cut the deficit to two at 12-10. The Lions finished the quarter on a high note and were able to extend the advantage back to seven and lead 22-15 after 10 minutes of play. Coffey and Gracie Kelsey had seven points in the opening frame.

Ellie Brueggemann opened the second quarter with a three-pointer to give the Lions a double-digit lead, 25-15. Lindenwood took its largest lead of the day, going up 13 following an Aleshia Jones jumper with just over six minutes to go in the quarter. Jones had seven of the final nine Lindenwood points in the middle frame which helped the Black and Gold take a 43-27 lead into halftime. The Lions shot 65 percent from the field in the first half and Jones had a game-high 13 points, while Kelsey had 11.

Lindenwood scored seven of the first eight points to begin the third quarter, capped off by a Brueggemann three to go up 50-28. The Lions continued to lead throughout the quarter and took a 62-37 advantage into the fourth. The Black and Gold held EIU to just two filed goals in the quarter and 14 percent shooting from the field overall.

The Lions closed out the game and picked up their first conference win with an 87-55 victory on Sunday. Lindenwood shot a season-best 63 percent from the field, while 13 Lions scored in the game.

GAME LEADERS
Ellie Brueggemann (14 points, 6-6 FG, five rebounds, two assists)
Gracie Kelsey (14 points, four rebounds, four assists)
Brooke Coffey (13 points, four rebounds, two assists)

UP NEXT
The Lions will get some time off before returning to the court on Monday, December 29 in a non-conference matchup with Ottawa. Tip-off from Hyland Arena is set for 3:00 p.m.