The Lindenwood Lady Lion’s basketball team had its best performance of the young 2009-10 season Monday night against NCAA Division II opponent, University of Missouri-St. Louis, but in the end fell to the Tritons, 62-60.
Lindenwood would lead most of the game with the largest lead reaching six on numerous occasions. The Lady Lions would go into the half with a slim 31-30 lead after
Destini Wilson finished off a fast break with a lay-up to take back the lead from UMSL.
The second half was much of the same as the Lady Lions continued to lead but could not put away the home team. With about eight minutes to play, the Lady Lions would once again take a six point lead with a lay-up by freshman
Kelly Albers. But the lead would not last long at all as the Tritons went on a quick 6-0 run to tie the game, which was capped off with a block by Caitlyn Moody and turned into a lay-up for Kristi White.
Lindenwood would come right back and take a slim lead but from then on, it was a back-and-forth game. With one minute remaining in the second half, the game was tied by the Tritons’ Hailee Deckard, who connected on a jumper.
After a turnover by Lindenwood, UMSL took advantage and took the lead on a bucket by Moody with just 14 seconds to play. The Lady Lions called a timeout with just two seconds remaining to set up the potential game-tying or game-winning bucket. The game-winning three pointer missed the mark though and the Tritons would survive. The Lady Lions did not make a field goal in the final four plus minutes of the game.
Neither team shot the ball well as the Lady Lions made only 37 percent of their shots and 18 percent from behind the three point line compared to the Tritons who also shot 37 percent but were just a little better from long range, 22 percent. The Lady Lions outrebound UMSL 43-31 but turned the ball over 26 times compared to the Tritons, 17.
Lindenwood was led by Wilson, who tied her career-high with 15 points and grabbed three rebounds, recorded one assist and a steal. Albers had her best night as a Lady Lion scoring 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Senior
Cassie Williams continued her early season success with eight points and tying a career-high with 10 rebounds.
The Lady Lions do not have much time to think about the close loss as they will be back on the hardwood Wednesday night against undefeated Missouri Baptist at the Hyland Performance Arena.