HARROGATE, Tenn. - - No. 18 Lincoln Memorial University withstood a valiant UVA Wise comeback bid to remain unbeaten in South Atlantic Conference play with an 88-78 women's basketball triumph inside Tex Turner Arena Wednesday.
LMU (12-1, 7-0 SAC) used a 31-point second quarter to take control of the contest. In the 10-minute stanza, the Railsplitters made four shots from beyond the arc. It was part of a long-range shooting effort that saw the hosts make 11 on the evening.
UVA Wise (6-9, 2-5 SAC) fell behind by as many as 19 points with 7:02 to play in the third quarter before battling back.
The Cavaliers put together an 11-0 scoring run that featured two of Allyson Fleenor's career-high seven made field goals in the contest. The sophomore forward finished the game with a career-best 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting, including her second career 3-point bucket.
The 'Splitters countered with four consecutive points but, the visitors again put together a spurt to inch even closer. UVA Wise scored seven of the game's next nine points to cut the deficit to 62-57 in the closing seconds of the third quarter. The stretch was highlighted by five consecutive foul shots from Sarah Burton and Caitlyn Ross.
LMU's Alexa Smiddy would beat the third quarter horn to make it a 64-47 affair heading to the final 10 minutes.
The Cavs would get the game within two possessions five times over the final 10 minutes but would be unable to get any closer as Devan Carter's club snapped a two-game home losing skid to UVA Wise.
Lauren Flowers led all players with 26 points in the win while Jordan Maney and Smiddy tossed in 15 each. Tanner Matty made 4-of-9 triples en route to 12 points to form the quartet of 'Splitters in double figures.
LMU's Geovana Rios finished with a game-high 15 rebounds but UVA Wise won the battle of the boards 39-to-30.
On the night, the 'Splitters went a perfect 15-for-15 from the free throw line and finished the game shooting 45.6 percent from the floor.
Katlin Burger led the Cavs with 16 points and a career-high seven assists while Ross posted 14 points, five rebounds and six assists with Burton registering 12 in the loss.
UVA Wise will be back in action Saturday to take on Anderson University. Tip time from the Prior Center is slated for 2 p.m.
