The Lindenwood women's basketball team (19-7, 11-4 OVC) grinded out a 54-49 win over UT Martin (13-11, 9-6 OVC on Thursday night from Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

GAME OVERVIEW
UT Martin started the game on a 7-0 run before an Aleshia Jones three put an end to the spurt. The Skyhawks continued to gain separation throughout the opening frame and led 17-9 after one.

Martin scored the first bucket of the second quarter, but the Lions began to settle in and went on a 13-2 run, capped off by a Mya Skoff and-one to put Lindenwood in front 22-21 with 6:43 to go in the half. A few minutes later, Ellie Brueggemann drilled a three to give the Black and Gold its largest lead at 29-24. The Skyhawks scored the final four points of the second and Lindenwood led 29-28 at the break. Skoff and Jones had seven points apiece, followed by Brueggemann with six.              
Skoff hit a pair of threes early in the third to put the Lions in front 35-31. Lindenwood locked in defensively coming out of the locker room, holding the Skyhawks to 2-of-15 shooting from the field and five points overall. Up 39-33 late in the quarter, Alyssa Nielsen found Ellie Brueggemann, cutting to the basket who finished it off and converted from the free throw line to extend the lead to 42-33 after 30 minutes. Overall, Lindenwood got 16 points off of Skyhawk turnovers in the period.

Lindenwood extended the lead to double digits after a three from Brueggemann put them up 45-33. A few possessions later, Brooke Coffey hit another three to maintain the double digit lead a 48-37. However, UT Martin would not go away responding with a 10-0 run that cut the deficit to one with 2:51 to go. On the ensuing possession, Brueggemann knocked down a three from the wing, making the score 51-47. The Lions clamped down on the defensive end and eventually sealed the win with a jumper from Valerie Norwood. The Black and Gold would go on to win 54-49.

GAME LEADERS
Ellie Brueggemann (15 points, four rebounds)
Mya Skoff (13 points, five rebounds, four assists)
Brooke Coffey (nine points, six rebounds, four assists)

UP NEXT
The Lions will host SEMO on Saturday for Senior Day. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.