CINCINNATI, Ohio – On Sunday, February 18
th your #3 seed Mount St. Joseph University women's basketball team welcomed the #6 seed Ravens of Anderson University to the Harrington Center for the Opening Round of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament. In the first half, the Lions grabbed the lead after the first possession and never looked back taking a 40-29 halftime advantage. After the break, the Lions offense continued to dominate scoring 43 second-half points to take down the Ravens in the Opening Round of the HCAC Tournament 83-61.
To open up play, the Lions offense was red hot. The Lions scored ten unanswered points to begin the game starting with a huge three-pointer from
Ellie Oldendick. Following the run, Anderson would answer back pulling within four with 3:19 left in the quarter. Buckets from
Morgan Jenkins and
Karlee Mills again boosted the Lions lead back to nine with 2:22 left. But, to close out the quarter Anderson was able to close the gap. A pair of free throws closed out the quarter for the Ravens with The Mount still ahead 20-17.
To start the second quarter, the Lions again were red hot from the floor. The Lions opened up the second just like the first with ten unanswered points to take a 30-17 advantage with 5:50 left to play in the half. But, this time the Ravens didn't have the same answer. Anderson cut the Lions lead to seven with just over five minutes remaining but that was the best they could do in the quarter. The Lions built their lead back to eight before a huge three-pointer from Mills to close out the half. Mills connected from deep as time expired to put the Lions ahead 40-29 at the break.
After halftime, the Lions couldn't repeat their dominant start but still protected their double-digit advantage. The Ravens got a pair of buckets to fall to begin play but an 11-3 run gave The Mount a 51-36 lead with five minutes remaining in the quarter. The Ravens would cut their deficit to nine with two minutes left but a layup followed by a pair of free throws from
Hailey Guingrich boosted the Lions lead to 60-47 as time expired in the third quarter.
The final quarter of play was the Lions best quarter of the game. A 10-2 run opened the quarter for the Lions taking a 70-49 lead with 7:04 remaining. Anderson would get a pair of free throws to fall before another dominant offensive run from the Lions. An 11-1 run gave the Lions their largest lead of the game taking an 81-52 advantage following a free throw from
Jordan Patterson. In the final two and a half minutes the Ravens were able to make a dent in the Lions lead but not enough to move onto the HCAC Semifinals. After 40 minutes of play, the #3 seed Mount St. Joseph Lions knocked off the #6 seed Anderson Ravens 83-61.
The Lions offensive attack was balance in the victory with six Lions scoring double-digits. Mills and Oldendick led the way with 13 points each.
Madison Drummonds led the Lions in rebounds grabbing 12 boards and scoring 6 points.
Chloe Jansen had a solid day in her final game at the Harrington Center finishing with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
UP NEXT: Your Mount St. Joseph Lions are back in action on Friday, February 23
rd when they travel to Lexington, Ky. to take on the #2 seed Hanover College Panthers in the HCAC Semifinal Game. Tip-off is scheduled for 7PM.
