The Lindenwood women's basketball team (24-7, 16-4 OVC) claimed a share of the OVC regular season title with a thrilling 50-49 win over Western Illinois (24-5, 16-4 OVC) on Saturday afternoon in Macomb, Ill. This is Lindenwood's first women's basketball regular season crown in the programs NCAA era.

GAME OVERVIEW
Lindenwood got off to a fast 7-0 start less than two minutes into the game. The Leathernecks responded with the next seven points to tie the game with 6:44 to go in the first. Following an Ellie Brueggemann jumper, Brooke Coffey finished off an and-one giving the Lions a 12-7 lead. The Black and Gold remained in front throughout the quarter and continued to lead by five just past the halfway point of the period. Lindenwood finished the first on a 7-2 run and led 21-13 after 10 minutes.

Both teams struggled from the field in the middle frame shooting under 30 percent. Aleshia Jones had six of Lindenwood's eight points in the quarter and the Lions led by as much as 10. They took a 29-22 advantage into the locker room after limiting the Leathernecks to 31 percent shooting in the opening half.

The Lions kept up the defensive pressure in the third, holding WIU to just two made field goals in the quarter. Up by six less than a minute into the frame, The Lions went on an 11-1 run over the next 5:52, capped off by a Brueggemann three pointer, which put Lindenwood up 42-25. Lindenwood led by a score of 43-27 heading into the fourth.

In the fourth, Lindenwood led 45-33 with just over seven minutes to go. However, the Leathernecks would not go away and scored seven unanswered points to get with five at 45-40 at the 5:15 mark. The Lions held WIU scoreless for the next two and a half minutes and took a 49-40 lead following a jumper from Brueggemann. Once again, Western Illinois responded and cut the deficit to 50-49 with less than a minute to go. The Lions made a couple big defensive stands in that final minute as Nicastro missed a midrange jumper with five seconds to go securing a 50-49 win for Lindenwood.

With the win, the Lions secured a share of the OVC regular season title doing so for the first time at the Division I level.

GAME LEADERS
Brooke Coffey (15 points, 11 rebounds)
Aleshia Jones (13 points, eight rebounds, three steals)
Ellie Brueggemann (13 points, two rebounds)

UP NEXT
The Lions have secured the two seed at the OVC Tournament and will await their opponent in the semifinals on Friday, March 6.