Matt Barker, Sports Information Director

BELLEVILLE, Ill. - The No. 12 Lady Lion basketball team picked up their fifth straight win Saturday, courtesy of a 25-point performance from Kim Mallory, as they rolled to a 72-57 victory over Lindenwood (Ill.) University-Belleville.

Mallory led all scorers in the game and nearly put up a double-double in the process as she pulled down nine rebounds. Kenley Crowell also had one of her best performances of the season as she finished with 20 points on a 3-for-5 shooting night from behind the arc. Taleeah Cross would also contribute on the offensive end with 17 points and five assists.

FHU (15-5, 11-3 AMC) shot 43.9 percent from the field in the game compared to Lindenwood (Ill.) University-Belleville, who shot 45.8 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from behind the arc. Although the Lynx connected on a majority of the shots they took in the matchup, the Lady Lions were able to limit their shot selection with an increased presence on the defensive end.

Tiara Bramlett led Lindenwood-Belleville on the offensive end with a double-double performance as she put up 17 points and 11 rebounds in the matchup. Kindra Brown, who averages 13 points per game for the Lynx, followed close behind and exceeded her average with 16 points and four rebounds.

Lindenwood-Belleville would come out firing to start the game as they went on a 5-0 run to take a quick 7-2 lead. However, the Lady Lions would answer with a scoring flurry of their own as they went on an impressive 15-0 run to take a commanding 17-7 lead before Rilea Huff connected on a 3-point field goal to cut the lead to seven with 2:10 remaining.

The Lynx would follow that scoring run with another 8-0 run to pull within four at the 19-15 mark to close the first quarter.

Lindenwood-Belleville would attempt to make a push to start the second quarter as they were able to pull within one at the 21-20 mark with 8:38 remaining in the quarter. However, similar to the first quarter, the Lady Lions were able to provide an answer as they out-shot the Lynx 10-2 over the next 2:30 to pull ahead 31-22 with 6:21 remaining. Both teams would trade points for the remainder of the quarter as the Lady Lions were able to take a 36-28 lead into the half.

The Lady Lions, who shot 46.6 percent from the field in the first half, were able to hold off a hot-shooting Lindenwood-Belleville team that shot 50 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from behind the arc in the first half. The Lynx connected on 5-of-7 from behind the arc to stay within reach at the break.

The Lady Lions were able to keep a near-double digit lead for a majority of the third quarter as they used the cushion they built in the first half to take a 54-45 lead into the final quarter of play. Taleeah Cross led the Lady Lions in the quarter with eight points, which exceeded the seven points she had compiled in the first half alone.

The fourth quarter would belong to the Lady Lions as they continued to pull away while increasing their defensive pressure. The Lady Lions forced an impressive 20 turnovers in the game to keep the Lynx on their heels the entire night. FHU would continue to pile it on to finish the game as they led by as many as 15 and cruised to a 72-57 victory.

With the win, the Lady Lions move to 15-5 on the season and 11-3 in conference play.

UP NEXT: The Lady Lions will be back in action next Saturday, January 30 as they host Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) University in a 2:00 PM matchup at the Brewer Sports Center.