WISE - - Lincoln Memorial University overcame an eight point fourth quarter deficit to secure a 65-59 South Atlantic Conference women's basketball victory over UVA Wise at the Prior Center Wednesday evening. The victorious Railsplitters went to the line 35 times in the game, converting 26 to finish with more made foul shots than field goals (18).
The game was pivotal in the SAC standings; with the win, LMU is now in a tie for sixth place while UVA Wise is a game behind Lenoir-Rhyne for the eighth and final spot in next month's league tournament.
LMU (9-12, 8-9 SAC) took the lead for good with 4:06 to play when Lauren Flowers completed a traditional 3-point play to give the guests a 51-50 advantage. The play was part of a 6-0 scoring spurt for the 'Splitters that proved to be decisive as the team would make 15-of-20 fourth quarter free throws to preserve the win.
UVA Wise (10-13, 6-11 SAC) built its lead behind solid defense. The Cavaliers limited the 'Splitters to 14-of-43 shooting through the first three periods. For the game, LMU made just 3-of-18 shots from beyond the arc with two of the triples coming by way of the backboard.
A pair of Tennessee natives paced the UVA Wise offense. Redshirt junior Kalee Johnson (Elizabethton, Tenn.) scored a team-best 18 points while grabbing a career-high 10 rebounds en route to the first double-double of her career while Caitlyn Ross (Kingston, Tenn.) netted 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
LMU was led by Lauren Flowers who tallied a game-high 19 points. The guard made of 14-of-16 foul shots while adding a 3-pointer to her stat ledger. Lexi Kiser (12) and Maggie Jachimzcuk (11) also finished in double figures for the 'Splitters who enjoyed a 50-to-38 edge on the glass. LMU grabbed 17 offensive rebounds which resulted in 14 second chance points for the club. Lindsay Proffitt led the 'Splitters with nine boards, she was one of six LMU players with at least five rebounds.
Next up, UVA Wise visits Queens University of Charlotte Saturday for a 2 p.m. tip. Fans can listen to the action live on FM 92.5 WLSD or online at wlsdradio.com
