The Lindenwood women's basketball team (7-2) defeated Drake (1-6) by a score of 68-52 on Wednesday in Des Moines, Iowa.

GAME OVERVIEW
It was a slow shooting start for both teams as the game was scoreless until the 6:47 mark when Ellie Brueggemann knocked down a triple. She followed it up with another three on the following possession to give her six early points and Lindenwood led 8-4 at the first media timeout. Lindenwood extended the lead late in the first frame after a three from Valerie Norwood who had five points in the first. The Lions led 15-7 after one.

Lindenwood began the second quarter on a 13-3 run to increase the advantage to 28-10. The Bulldogs got the deficit down to 12 at the half as the Black and Gold led 33-21 after 20 minutes. Gracy Wernli had seven points during the middle frame.

Drake cut into the lead and got within seven with four minutes to go in the third. A few possessions later, Brooke Coffey drilled a three to put the Lions back up eight, 45-37 with just over two minutes to go in the quarter. The Bulldogs kept chipping away and got within three, but Aleshia Jones got off a last second three-quarter court heave that put the Lions up 50-44 heading to the fourth.

The Lions scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter to take a 59-44 lead. A few minutes later, Coffey blocked a shot at one end that led to a three from Jones on the other, giving the Black and Gold their largest lead of the day at 66-47. Lindenwood went on to win 68-52 to improve to 7-2 on the year.

GAME LEADERS
Aleshia Jones (20 points, four rebounds, two assists)
Ellie Brueggemann (13 points, 3-7 3PFG, six rebounds, four assists)
Brooke Coffey (12 points, nine rebounds)

UP NEXT
The Lions will return to the court on Saturday, December 13 in a matchup with No. 12 Iowa. Tip-off Iowa City, Iowa is set for 2:00 p.m.