CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Lindenwood women's basketball (20-7, 16-2 OVC) eclipsed the 20 win mark for only the third time during the NCAA era after defeating Southeast Missouri State (5-22, 3-15 OVC) by a final score of 70-47. The Lions held SEMO to 47 points which is the lowest point total allowed against a Division I opponent in Lindenwood's history. Lindenwood also continues their win streak to 11 games after Saturday's contest.

"Wow, 20 wins for the group!" said head coach Amy Eagan. "I'm so proud of them and happy for them! They deserve all the success they are achieving. What a great defensive game today holding SEMO to 47 points."

It was a balanced scoring effort from Lindenwood's offense on Saturday with four double-digit scorers but none scoring more than 11 points. Mya Skoff, Justis Odom and Brooke Coffey all had 11 points in the win. Six different Lions had at least eight points.

Skoff shot 4-6 from the floor including a perfect 2-2 from downtown. Coffey shot 5-8 from the field while pulling down a team-high seven rebounds and added three assists. Odom was also effective down-low shooting 4-7 from the field while adding five rebounds. Five different Lions had multiple assists on Saturday as LU assisted on 16 of their 26 made field-goals.

Gracy Wernli was the fourth Lion to make it into double-figures with 10 points. Ellie Brueggemann (9 points) and Mykayla Cunningham (8 points) rounded out the offense for LU. The Lions shot 47.3% from the field and 72.2% from the foul line all while holding SEMO to 34.0% from the field and 26.3% from three.

Lindenwood defense took advantage of SEMO's 19 turnovers resulting in 25 points. The Lions also controlled the painted area out-scoring SEMO 36-20 in that department. LU's bench also did their job putting up 18 points including five from both Alyssa Nielsen and Gracie Kelsey.

The first quarter was close to start with Lindenwood holding a two-point lead with 3:21 remaining, but it was all Lindenwood to close out the first. Lindenwood ended the first quarter on a 9-2 run as the Lions led 19-8 after the first. Despite shooting 1-6 from three, Lindenwood took advantage of SEMO's seven turnovers scoring 10 points off of those. Wernli had three of her team-high five steals in the first 10 minutes of the game.

Mid-way through the second quarter, SEMO was able to cut the lead to 28-21 as the Lions struggled to find a rhythm on offense being held scoreless for nearly four minutes. Lindenwood used another late run (9-0) to end the quarter as they headed into the locker room leading 37-21. LU only took seven shots in the second (5-7 FG) but went a perfect 7-7 at the foul line.

Over the first two minutes of the quarter, it was a 5-0 Redhawks to cut the lead to 11. Lindenwood's offense kept the momentum going eventually stretching the lead to 20 points with 48 second remaining as they out-scored SEMO 18-14 in the third. It was Lindenwood 55 SEMO 35 through three quarters in the Show Me Center.

Lindenwood's largest lead of the game came with 6:27 left in the game after a made layup from Nielsen put the Lions ahead by 28. Eagan's group ended the afternoon in Cape Girardeau, Mo. by a final score of 7-47.

This win for Lindenwood secured the Lions a double-bye in Evansville, Ind. for the Ohio Valley Conference Championships starting on March 5th. Lindenwood has now guaranteed themselves a spot in the semi-finals starting on Friday, March 7th.

LU will have a quick turn-around this week as they take on Western Illinois on Tuesday, March 25th at 5:00 p.m. CT. For more information on Lindenwood women's basketball go to lindenwoodlions.com.