ANDERSON, S.C.- The Anderson University women's basketball team willed its way to a huge road win over league leading No. 9 Lincoln Memorial, 76-73, in a South Atlantic Conference matchup on Wednesday evening at B. Frank "Tex" Turner Arena.
With the win, Anderson improves to 20-5 overall and 17-4 in the league while Lincoln Memorial falls to 23-3 overall and 18-3 in SAC play. The Railspitters are ranked No. 9 nationally in the most recent WBCA/USA Today Coaches' Poll while claiming the No. 2 spot in the NCAA Southeast Regional Rankings.
The Trojans placed four players in double-digits with freshman Alexy Mollenhauer leading all scorers with a career-high 28 points. Mollenhauer's impressive stat line featured her first career double-double (10 rebounds) and career highs in both assists (4) and blocks (5). Senior Jasmine Franklin continued her solid play scoring 14 points while ripping down seven rebounds. Seniors Heather Jankowy and Bailey Sims each netted 10 points with Jankowy tacking on six rebounds and four assists.
Capping off the scoring for the Black and Gold was freshman Madison Baggett (7), senior Nakia Young (4), sophomore Sara Goble (2), and junior Kaylee Koerperich (1).
Lincoln Memorial had three double-digits scorers with two recording double-doubles. Center Josey Harding scored a team-high 18 points while pulling down a game-high 18 rebounds. Karsen Sims and Megan Pittman each totaled 12 points with Pittman grabbing 10 rebounds for the Railsplitters.
Despite never trailing and building a 14 point lead in the third period with 8:01 left in the quarter, the Trojans braced themselves for a battle. Lincoln Memorial slowly chipped away taking advantage of a few scoring lulls by the Trojans eventually tying the game, 66-66, with three minutes left to play.
Anderson's Baggett hit a huge 3-point basket to break the tie, 69-66. LMU tied the game for the fifth time after sinking the front end of the one and one, then getting the put back on the miss of the second attempt. Just one trip down, Mollehauer answered with a 3-point basket to again put the Trojans up by three, 72-69.
Anderson's foul sent LMU's Harding to the line with the center making 1-of-2 to pull within two with one minute to go. Mollenhauer had an answer again scoring on a jumper while netting her 28th point of the night, to push the lead to four. The Railspitters responded with a made jumper and an Anderson foul away from the ball to put Harding on the line down two. Harding sank the first while missing the second to pull within one with less than 40 seconds to play. AU's Franklin grabbed the miss working the ball around to Jankowy. Jankowy missed the lay-up with seven second remaining. LMU's Harding grabbed her 18th rebound of the game but was called for a travel giving the ball back to the Trojans with five seconds remaining. Forced to foul, LMU hacked Franklin sending her to the line with a chance to put the Trojans up by three, 76-73. The senior from Simpsonville, S.C. drained both free throws to help seal the upset road victory.
Head Coach Jonathon Barbaree's Thoughts: "I'm extremely excited to get the win. It was another great game. Both teams battled to the end and I am extremely proud of the energy we had all game. We are continuing to improve each game and I'm proud of how hard everyone is working. I'm looking forward to this Saturday when we have the opportunity to recognize some incredible young ladies in our senior class. I hope everyone can come and join us."
EXTRA DRIBBLE
-Anderson moved in the No. 9 spot in the latest NCAA Southeast Rankings.
-The Trojans held LMU to just 3-of-13 (23.1%) from behind the arc.
-Mollenhauer recorded her first career double-double with 28 points and 10 rebounds.
-With the win, the Black and Gold move to 7-3 when playing on a Wednesday night.
-Anderson shot 14 less foul shots (16-21) than the Railspitters (22-35).
UP NEXT
Anderson returns home to host SAC foe Wingate in a battle for a possible share of the top spot in the league. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. at the Abney Center.
