The Lindenwood women's basketball team (13-6, 5-3 OVC) suffered a tough 73-70 loss at UT Martin (9-8, 5-3 OVC) on Saturday afternoon in Martin, Tenn.

GAME OVERVIEW
UT Martin led by three halfway through the first quarter, but a steal and a layup by Aleshia Jones cut the deficit to one at 9-8. The Skyhawks would lead 18-14 after the opening frame after shooting 63 percent from the field.

Lindenwood took the lead, 23-22 on a layup by Brooke Coffey with 7:17 to go in the second. Both teams continued to trade buckets with another layup by Jones putting the Lions in front 30-27. The Skyhawks finished the first half on a high note, however, and led 36-33 at the break. Jones paced the Lions with 10 points, while Coffey added seven.

The Lions regained the lead early in the third as back-to-back three points from Ellie Brueggemann put the Black and Gold in front 39-38. The Skyhawks answered back and took a 46-40 lead with 3:21 to go in the quarter, but Lindenwood responded with a 7-0 run, capped off by another steal and layup by Jones, giving the Lions a 47-46 lead. Heading into the fourth, the game would be tied at 47.

In a back and forth fourth quarter, Martin took a 50-49 lead, but Alyssa Nielsen drilled a three on the next possession to put the Lions back in front, 52-50. Lindenwood remained in front by two at the midway point of the quarter, but the Skyhawks responded once again and took a 61-59 lead with 4:05 to play.

Following a stop, Mya Skoff buried a setback three, putting Lindenwood in front once again, 62-61 with 3:40 to go. A few minutes later, Martin regained the advantage 67-65 with 1:29 to play. On the next possession, Brueggemann hit a big three that gave Lindenwood a 68-67 advantage with just over a minute to go. Lindenwood was able to get a stop on the defensive end as Gracie Kelsey came away with the steal with 30 seconds remaining.

Both teams traded layups and Lindenwood stayed ahead 70-69 with six seconds to go, However, Brueggemann would miss two free throws and Kenley McCarn would get fouled on the next UT Martin possession to put the Skyhawks in front for good as they went on to win, 73-70. The game featured 19 lead changes overall.

GAME LEADERS
Aleshia Jones (19 points, three steals, two rebounds)
Ellie Brueggemann (16 points, two rebounds)
Valerie Norwood (nine points, two rebounds)

UP NEXT
The Lions will return home to take on Tennessee Tech on Thursday, January 22. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m.