Jennies Display Team Effort in Win at Lindenwood

ST. CHARLES, Mo. (Jan. 20, 2017) - Five Jennies scored in double figures, and UCM raced out to a 26-2 lead in the first quarter in their 79-59 win over Lindenwood. The win is the Jennies fifth in a row and moves them to 15-2 and 8-1 in the MIAA.

Central Missouri scored the first six points of the contest and then kept their foot on the accelerator with a 20-0 run that lasted almost eight full minutes. The Jennies took a 10-point lead on a Kelsey Williams jumper with 6:11 left in the first quarter and led by double-digits the rest of the way. Williams was one of five Jennies in double-figures, scoring 10, her first time scoring at least 10 points in back-to-back games this season. She's averaging 8.5 points per game since joining the starting lineup, compared to 4.5 coming off of the bench.

The Jennies ended the first quarter ahead 26-5 after shooting 9-for-13 from the floor and 6-for-7 at the free throw line. The Jens defense was again on display, limiting the Lions to just one field goal and forcing 12 first quarter turnovers. Lindenwood ended the game with 26 turnovers, the second most the Jennies have forced this season.

The 79 points is the most for the Jennies in their last six games, since defeating Southwest Baptist 80-59 back on December 17. Paige Redmond led UCM with 16 points, eight coming at the free throw line, going a perfect 8-for-8. The Jens scored a quarter of their points at the free throw line, connecting on 20-of-24 attempts. Megan Skaggs and Ashley Duffy each scored 12 points and Kayonna Lee matched Williams with 10. Sydney Crockett knocked down a game-high three three-pointers and finished with nine points. 

Though the outcome was never truly in question, the Lions did mount a bit of a comeback in the second half. They used a 10-0 run early in the third quarter to get the lead back under 20, then cut it down to 14 on five separate occasions The Jennies had an answer each time, including a 12-4 run to start the fourth period after the Lions brought the lead to 14 for the fifth and final time. The Lions ran out of gas and the Jennies walked away with their fourth straight a 20-point win. 

The Lions snapped the Jennies streak of keeping opponents from reaching 50 points at three games, but it is still the fifth straight game UCM has held a team under 60. The Jens have allowed 60 or more points only four times in 17 games this season.

Central Missouri finished the game shooting 46.3% from the field (25-54) and 45% from three (9-20). Lee was the team's high rebounder with six, as the Jens grabbed a season-low 24 rebounds. Redmond dished out five assists and came away with four steals. 

Jerricah Butler scored 15 points to lead the Lions, with 10 coming at the free throw line. UCM again did a good job protecting the three-point line as the Lions went 3-for-9 from three and shot 40.5% (17-42) for the game. CeCe Rapp was 4-for-4 with 10 points and game-high seven rebounds.

The Jennies will get three days to prepare for currently WBCA ninth-ranked Emporia State Wednesday, Jan. 25. It is the first time this season the Jennies will face a ranked opponent. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 from the UCM Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg.