It was nonstop end-to-end action at the Hyland Performance Arena on Monday night for the Lindenwood Lady Lions basketball home and season opener. The visiting Olivet Nazarene Lady Tigers won the shootout, 112-94.
Six Lady Tigers ended the game in double figures in points led by Courtney Neil who poured in 20 points on 5-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-7 from behind the three point arc. Two Lady Tigers recorded double-doubles led by Simone Coburn who scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Jaimie Buckman pitched in with 15 points and 18 rebounds.
The Lady Lions were led by
Cassie Williams who scored a team-high 26 points on 10-of-19 shooting and also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out five assists.
Casey Junge, in her first collegiate game, came off the bench and scored 18 points. Freshman
Kelly Albers scored 10 points to go along with her seven rebounds.
Early on the Lady Lions were able to run at the high pace with the Lady Tigers and grabbed an early 15-8 lead. However, over the next 7:20, Olivet Nazarene outscored the Lady Lions 33-10 and they would eventually take an 18 point lead into the half.
In the second half both teams scored 56 points but the Lady Tigers up-tempo pace was too much for the Lady Lions to come from behind. Olivet Nazarene outrebounded the Lady Lions 72-61 and 27-21 on the offensive glass. Between the two teams, they launched 64 three-pointers. Olivet Nazarene was good on 10-of-44 from behind the arc and the Lady Lions were 2-of-20.
The free-throw line was a frequent spot for both teams. Olivet Nazarene took 56 free throws, making 36 while the Lady Lions struggled at the line connecting on just 18-of-37.
Up next for the Lady Lions is their first road game of the season at Hannibal-LaGrange on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.