AUSTIN, Texas – Lauren Avant's big performance fueled Rhodes women's basketball past Austin College on Sunday, 68-52.
 
Rhodes improves to a 7-0 record while the Roos' fall to 2-4 to start their season.
 
The Roo's were able to hang with the Lynx in the first half, grabbing the lead twice within the first three minutes. After a Symone Daniels layup at the 16:51 mark, added to a Lauren Avant steal turned points, the Lynx took an 8-6 lead. Rhodes utilized consistent offense, and didn't surrender its lead for the remainder of the contest.
 
Rhodes went on a 9-0 run over the span of two minutes, at the 14:16 mark, to pad their lead to 13-6 after a Dy'Nelle Todman lay-in. The Lynx continued to push and saw their first double digit lead after a Daniels three at the 5:38 mark made the tally 26-16. After a pair of made free throws from Austin's Kendall Heitmeir to close the half, the Lynx took a 35-30 lead into the break.
 
At the halftime break, Avant had already turned in 15 points towards the Lynx total. Daniels added nine at the break, with Todman scoring six. The Lynx shot 43 percent for the half with two made three pointers. Christina Kime was the Roos' scoring leader, adding nine. Austin also shot 40 percent from the field at the halfway mark.
 
Rhodes continued to apply the pressure, and widened the gap in the second half. A pair of Lynx layups from Todman and Avant to open the period gave the Lynx a 39-30 lead with 17:35 to play. The Lynx went on a 12-2 run over the closing five minutes with a Blaire Smith three, and layups from Todman, Daniels and Avant to reach their largest lead of the contest, 68-48 with 1:16 left to play. A pair of Austin free throws from Olivia Bailey gave the Roos' their last baskets and made the final score 68-52.
 
Austin's Brittany Stepanski and Christina Kime each put up 14 points towards the Roos' total and Erin Riley added nine. Rhodes held the Roos' to 34 percent shooting from the field in the contest, and 23 percent from beyond the three point arc. The Lynx defense controlled the contest, causing 21 turnovers, and capitalizing with 24 points.
 
Avant led the Lynx with 27 points, her third highest scoring effort so far this season. The Memphis, Tenn. native also added four steals and four assists to her totals with four rebounds. Daniels chipped in 16 points, her second straight night in double digits. Daniels also grabbed six rebounds and two steals in the Lynx win. Todman totaled 11 for Rhodes, while also pulling in six rebounds and two blocked shots.
 
Rhodes put up a good shooting effort, finishing the contest shooting 41 percent from the field and connecting on four three point attempts. The Lynx also shot an impressive 12-14 from the free throw line.
 
Rhodes will wrap up its road trip on Monday, Dec. 16 against Centenary College (La.) at 3 p.m.