Box Score
Visiting Muskingum University held a two-point lead at the half, and thanks to a strong defensive effort in the second half, went on to a 80-59 win in a first round game of the MSJ Tip-Off Tournament. The Lions, 0-1 on the season, will face the Tournament's other first round loser, Kenyon College, 0-1, in the Consolation game on Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. Olivet College, 1-0, and Muskingum University, 1-0, will face off in the Championship game on Nov. 16 at 3 p.m.
The Lions and Muskies got off to a slow start in the game on Friday afternoon, as both connected on under 40 percent from the field. Muskingum held a 34-32 lead a the half. Heidi McManus (Bethel, OH/Williamsburg) paced the Mount in the first half with 13 points, while Muskingum had two players score in double figures. The Muskies however, turned up the pressure early in the second half, forcing the Lions into turnovers and missed shots, as they opened up a 10-point advantage, 51-41, by the 12:29 mark of the second half.
The Mount got back into the game during the next few minutes, hitting their foul shots, and cut the deficit to 57-51 with 9:07 left but would get no closer. Muskingum pushed their lead back out to 62-51 with 7:31 to play and went on to the win.
McManus led all scorers with 20 points. Melanie Monahan (Mason, OH/Bishop Fenwick) chipped in 14 points and five assists while Mea' Williams (West Chester, OH/Lakota West) recorded seven points and seven rebounds. The Lions shot 32 percent from the field, including five-of-20 from three-point range (25 percent). Muskingum connected on 44 percent of its shots, but forced 21 Mount turnovers - while committing 11 miscues. They also held a slight edge over the Lions on the boards, 46-41. The Muskies were just two-of-16 on their three-point shots.
