MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Avant led the Lynx past Rust College on Sunday with a season high 41 points, defeating Rust College, 72-55 in the final game of the Bancorp Tipoff Classic.
 
Rhodes keeps an unblemished record at 2-0, while Rust falls to 1-1 on the 2013 season.
 
The Lynx opened the contest with a 13-2 run when Symone Daniels knocked down a trey for the first basket of the game. After five straight Lauren Avant free-throws as a result of a Rust foul on a three pointer, followed by a technical foul, Rhodes surged to a 20-9 lead with 13:57 left to play. The Lynx continued to have a hold on the game, as Coach Dean's pressure caused several Bearcat turnovers, which led to Lynx baskets. Rhodes continued to pound the ball into the paint and off the fast break to go up 41-22 at the half.
 
Rhodes held the Bearcats to 33 percent shooting in the first half and forced 15 turnovers which the Lynx turned into 17 first half points.
 
In the second half the Lynx saw their 20 point lead cut down to single digits when Jessica Brown scored a layup for Rust to make the score 56-47 with 8:51 left to play. Rhodes put an end to the Bearcat run and went on a 12-2 stretch of their own propelled by four layups from Avant, and a pair of scores from Dy'nelle Todman.  The Lynx never looked back, finishing the contest 72-55 over Rust.
 
The Bearcats were led by Jessica Brown who netted 27 points. Cartisha Jones added 19 points for Rust.
 
Rhodes had the game high scorer in Avant, as she earned 41 points in the game. The senior converted 17 of 24 free-throws, also pulling down eight rebounds, and grabbing seven steals. Other Rhodes contributors were Daniels who had 12 points, and Todman who added nine. Todman also pulled down nine rebounds in the outing.
 
Rhodes had a huge inside presence, scoring 44 points in the paint. The Lynx also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 28 points off the Bearcats turnovers.
                                     
Rhodes will hit the road for a six game stretch, hitting up three different states along the way. The Lynx first stop will be on Nov. 22 at the University of Texas at Tyler.