Sports

Women’s basketball goes 2-0 in MIAA/GAC Challenge

November 12, 2018

In a file photo from 2017, Lindenwood basketball player Charisse Williams (No.2) plays defense against the St. Louis College of Pharmacy on Nov. 28 in Hyland Arena.
Photo by Walker Van Wey.

CALEB RIORDAN | Reporter

The Lions grabbed two weekend wins in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association/Great American Conference Challenge to start their season off 2-0.

Their first GAC opponent of the weekend was University of Arkansas at Monticello Friday afternoon.

The Lions got off to a hot start in this one and took a comfortable lead into the second half. They shot 51.7 percent from the field, led by junior Kallie Bildner and junior Lindsay Medlen with nine points each. Junior Mackenzie Johnson led the way for the Boll Weevils with eight points at the half. The Lions led 39-22 at the half.

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The second half was much closer than the first, but Lindenwood was still able to grab the edge. The Lions outscored the Boll Weevils 31-29 in the half. The Lions held the Boll Weevils to zero made threes in the half.

It was a big half for Johnson, as she added 14 more points to bring her to a total of 22 on the game, leading all scorers. Redshirt senior Kylie Ferguson was the leading scorer for the Lions with 10 points. She was followed closely behind by Medlen with nine points, and Bildner with nine points and nine rebounds. The Lions won 70-51.

The Lions stood out in two categories in particular. They dominated in second chance points, outscoring the Boll Weevils 14-2, the Lions bench outscored the Boll Weevils 38-8.

Their second game of the weekend was against Southern Arkansas University.

Much like the first game, the Lions came out of the gates strong which led into a solid halftime lead. Bildner scored 12 in the half for the Lions on 4-6 shooting and 1-1 from beyond the arc. She also grabbed nine rebounds. The Lions led 32-18 at the half.

In the second half, Bildner continued to make an impact as she scored 11 more points and grabbed seven more rebounds. She ended the game with 23 points and 16 rebounds, both game highs for either team. The Lions took a 21-point lead with three minutes to go in the fourth quarter and did not look back. They won 61-40.

The Lions had a significant lead over the Muleriders in point scoring, holding a 26-10 advantage. Their bench did not have the same impact as it did in the first game, as they were outscored 16-7. However, the Lions did lead in points off turnovers, 18-12.

Next for the Lions, they come home to the Hyland Arena, where they will face University of Missouri – St. Louis on Wednesday, Nov. 14.