Lindenwood basketball splits set with Illinois-Springfield [Photo Gallery]
Senior Forward Ellen McCorkle attempts to make a layup over defenders from University of Illinois Springfield. McCorkle finished the game with a season-best of 25 points.
January 16, 2022
After numerous cancellations, both Lindenwood basketball teams made their 2022 home debuts in an empty Hyland Arena on Thursday night, with the women’s team staying hot while the men’s squad fell in their sixth consecutive game.
The women’s basketball team remained hot with an 82-71 win over the University of Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars, giving them four wins in a row. It was a combination of efficient offense and stellar defense for Lindenwood, as the Lions shot 58% from the field and 40% from deep, while allowing just a 38% field goal percentage and 10% three point percentage for Illinois-Springfield.
Forward Julia Ruzevich led the team in scoring and rebounds on the night, with 28 points and 18 boards. Senior forward Ellen McCorkle also nearly double-doubled, with 25 points and eight rebounds of her own.
The Lions, after a 63-47 win on Saturday at Quincy, are now 7-5 overall and 4-1 in conference play. They’ll next take the court on Thursday, Jan. 20, at home vs. William Jewell College.
On the men’s side, Lindenwood couldn’t get things going on either side of the fall, losing to the Prairie Stars by a final score of 98-66. The Lions struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 8-for-33 in the defeat.
Lindenwood was led by senior forward Romelo Burrell who had 16 points and eight rebounds in the loss. The other two Lions to score in double figures were junior guards Kevin Caldwell Jr. and Brandon Trimble, who had 12 points each.
The men’s basketball team ended their losing streak on Saturday with an 80-77 win on the road at Quincy, giving them now a record of 6-8 overall, and 2-4 against conference opponents. Lindenwood’s next contest will also be on Thursday night against William Jewell College in St. Charles.
(Written by Dominic Hoscher)
