ANDERSON, S.C – Despite a slow start, Anderson University women's basketball team won its final regular season contest defeating South Atlantic Conference opponent Lincoln Memorial, 75-62, on Saturday afternoon at Tex Turner Arena
With the victory, the Trojans move to 24-4 overall and 19-3 in SAC play, while the Railsplitters drop to 10-16 overall and 9-13 in conference action.
Senior Alexy Mollenhauer notched her 18th double-double of the season scoring a game-high 26 points while pulling down a game-high 15 rebounds. Senior Madison Baggett netted 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting while junior Taylor Hair chipped in 10 points and grabbed three rebound for the Black and Gold.
LMU had two player notch double-digit scoring with Sydney Newsome scoring a team-high 14 points and Maggie Jachimczuk coming off the bench to score 11 points for the Railsplitters.
Anderson shook off a sluggish opening frame, outscoring the Railsplitters, 21-6 in the second quarter to carry a, 35-21, lead at halftime.
The Black and Gold built a 19 point lead, before an 8-0 run late in the third period pulled LMU to within 10. AU's Baggett dropped in 1-of-2 free throws in the waning seconds of the third stanza to push the Trojans lead to 11 with one quarter left to play.
With the late surge and momentum shifting toward the Railsplitters, Baggett grabbed two key rebounds, including an offensive put back, to help halt the surge in the opening minute of the fourth period. The Trojans continued to battle hard during the fourth quarter of action to secure the road win.
"Proud of the team for winning another tough road win, said head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "Their focus and determination really showed up today even as shots didn't always fall. They stayed composed and stayed the course."
"I also want to congratulate the team and staff for winning another regular season championship", added Barbaree. "They have work hard since day one. With that said we are looking forward to getting back to work as we prepare for the conference tournament."
No. 1 Anderson will host No. 8 Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday in the quarterfinal round of the SAC Championship. Tip-off is slated for 7 pm in the friendly confines of the Abney Athletic Center.
The 2020 SAC Pilot Flying J Women's Basketball Championship quarterfinals will be played at campus sites on Wednesday (March 4), before moving to Timmons Arena in Greenville, S.C. for the semifinals and finals on March 7 and 8. The SAC Pilot Flying J Tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament. The SAC Pilot Flying J Women's Basketball Championship schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, March 4 (at Highest Seeds)
Game 1: #1 Anderson vs. #8 Lincoln Memorial, TBA
Game 2: #4 Newberry vs. #5 Catawba, 7:00 p.m.
Game 3: #2 Carson-Newman vs. #7 Lenoir-Rhyne, 7:00 p.m.
Game 4: #3 Tusculum vs. #6 Wingate, TBA
Saturday, March 7 (Timmons Arena, Greenville, S.C.)
Game 5: winner game 1 vs. winner game 2, Noon
Game 6: winner game 3 vs. winner game 4, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 8 (Timmons Arena, Greenville, S.C.)
Game 7: winner game 5 vs. winner game 6, 1:00 p.m.
