The Lindenwood women's basketball team (10-5, 2-2 OVC) handed Southern Indiana (9-4, 3-1 OVC) their first conference loss of the season in a 75-65 win on Saturday afternoon from Hyland Arena.

GAME OVERVIEW
It was a back-and-forth game early on, but a three from Ellie Brueggemann put the Lions in front 15-11. Following an Alyssa Nielsen steal, Brueggemann made another jumper to put Lindenwood up six and Southern Indiana called timeout. The Lions would lead by two after 10 minutes.

Lindenwood took its largest lead of the game at 27-20 after a layup from Gracie Kelsey off a feed from Brooke Coffey and USI needed timeout once again. The Lions were able to stretch the lead to nine at 31-22 following a layup from Anna McCarn. However, the Screaming Eagles closed the gap to three before the half and Lindenwood led 34-31. Brueggemann led the Lions with 12 points across the first 20 minutes of play.

Coming out of the break, Mya Skoff finished a big and-one to put the Lions up 42-35 just over a minute into the third. A few minutes later, another layup by Skoff increased the advantage to 47-38. The Lions extended the lead to double digits at 53-42 as Brueggemann hit a jumper with two minutes to go. After Southern Indiana hit a three to get within eight, Brueggemann answered with a shot from deep. The Lions led 57-48 after three.

Southern Indiana wouldn't go away early in the fourth and forced a Lindenwood timeout after cutting the deficit to eight at 60-52. The Lions settled back down and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the fourth and handed USI their first conference loss of the season in a 75-65 win.

GAME LEADERS
Mya Skoff (19 points, three rebounds)
Ellie Brueggemann (19 points, two rebounds, four assists)
Gracie Kelsey (12 points, two assists)

UP NEXT
The Lions head to Edwardsville, Ill. for a matchup with SIUE on Tuesday, January 6. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m.