MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Rhodes women's basketball team soared over the Stormy Petrels of Oglethorpe on Sunday, 77-40.
 
With the win the Lynx remain unbeaten in the Southern Athletic Association, boasting a 3-0 conference record, and moving to an 11-2 overall record. Oglethorpe falls to 1-2 in league action, with a 3-11 season record.
 
The Lynx went to work from the get go, opening the contest with an 8-2 run aided by an early team technical on the Petrels bench. Coach Dean's squad continued to push, gaining their first double-digit lead at the 14:24 mark after a Lauren Avant lay-in to make the count 17-7. The Lynx lit the gym up from three point range in the first half, including two three from Sarah Johnson and Symone Daniels. Johnson's pair of three's came within a minute of one another with the second at 1:29 to give the Lynx a 44-16 lead. Oglethorpe's Ciara Hughes would score the half's final bucket to make the score at the break 46-18.
 
Rhodes had several Lynx in double digits in the first half. Avant led the way with 14 points, shooting 71.4 percent from the field in the opening period. Johnson added 12 points, including her two three pointers. Daniels also reported double digit figures in the first half with 10 points and five rebounds. The Stormy Petrels were led by Hughes who netted six points. Reagan Merryman and Kendelle Culpepper each added three to Oglethorpe's total.
 
Rhodes held its opponent to just 30.4 percent shooting from the field, who a mere 16.7 percent from beyond the arc. The Lynx put up an impressive first half shooting percentage of 52.9 percent, shooting six of 17 from three point land.
 
Oglethorpe opened the second half with back to back buckets with 17:47 to play to make the early score 46-23. The Petrels surge didn't last long, as the Lynx went on an 8-0 run with a Catherine Eckert three and a jumper from Avant at 13:57, making the tally 59-24. The Lynx offence continued to produce while their unrelenting defense smothered, and Rhodes reached its largest lead of 40 at the 4:52 mark, 75-35. Rhodes would hang on for the strong win, finishing ahead 77-40.
 
Rhodes held its opponent to shooting just 29.2 percent from the field and a sheer 18.5 percent from beyond the three point line. The Lynx put up 45.3 percent shooting in the game, while knocking down 10 of 28 three point attempts for 35.7 percent.
 
Oglethorpe's top performer was Hughes, with 12 points and nine rebounds. Culpepper added six points to the Petrels total, with Kyana Jenkins and McKenzie Fortson each contributing five each.
 
The Lynx were led by Avant, who netted 24 points, a game high total. Avant also pulled in four rebounds, three steals and two assists. Johnson and Daniels each added 14 apiece, with Daniels grabbing six rebounds and Johnson getting six assists and five steals.

The Lynx will stay at home for their next contest, a rare single game weekend. Rhodes will host Hendrix Saturday Jan. 18 at 2 p.m.