Playing before a near capacity Homecoming crowd, the Lee University women’s basketball team defeated visiting Grace College (Ind.) 77-47 in an exhibition contest inside Walker Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Flames will officially open their 2024-25 season next Friday and Saturday when they travel to Lakeland, Fla. to take part in the GSC/SSC Challenge.
All 14 Lee players took part in Saturday’s win. Anna Muhonen made 7-of-9 field goal attempts and finished with 16 points to pace Lee’s scoring.
Mia Hurst and Haley Cameron followed with 12 points each. Cameron was the leading rebounder with eight and Hurst followed with six. Mallory Hampton tossed in nine points, dished off five assists and grabbed five rebounds.
The Lady Flames jumped out to a 27-9 first-period advantage, but the scoring slowed in the second quarter and the Lancers came back to outscore Lee 18-15 and put the halftime margin at 44-27. The Lady Flames bounced back and put 18 markers on the board in the third frame and allowed the visitors just eight points, coasting the rest of the game.
Lee outrebounded Grace 39-26. The Lancers were guilty of 27 turnovers against the tough Lady Flames defense. Lee turned the basketball over 15 times and came up with 15 steals in the contest. Haylee Johnson and Kara Williams came up with three steals apiece while Hampton and Cameron picked up a couple.
For the game, the Lady Flames shot a solid 47% overall (32-of-68). However, they struggled from 3-point range, making just 8-of-31 (26%). They were awarded just 10 free throws and canned five. Grace was able to convert 36% from the field (15-of-42) and made only 2-of-12 long-range shots. They were awarded 22 freebies and connected on 15.
Kate Thomas battled for 13 points and six rebounds to pace the Lancers. Kensie Ryman and Sophia Morrison hit the double-figure mark with 10 points apiece. The losers had trouble with turnovers allowing Lee 27 points and tallied just six off Lee’s floor mistakes. The Lady Flames outscored the Lancers 44-26 in points in the paint and 17-5 in second-chance points.
Coach Marty Rowe’s thoughts:
“It was good to see us come out with focus and energy today. Grace is a tough, well-coached team so it was a great game for us in preparation for next weekend.”