MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Rhodes women's basketball used a strong second half to overpower Hendrix College, 88-53 on Saturday in Southern Athletic Association action.
 
The Lynx keep an unbeaten conference record, posting 4-0 and 12-2 overall. The Warriors fall to 2-2 in the SAA and a 7-8 season record.
 
Rhodes opened the contest with a bucket from Lauren Avant at the 19:15 mark. Avant would continue to produce for the Lynx as she scored the seven of Rhodes' nine opening points. Hendrix hung with the Lynx knotting things up at 17-17 after a Katy Gallien layup with 9:21 to play. Rhodes worked to pull away and went on a 15-2 run, propelled by eight points on the floor from Avant and baskets in the paint from Symone Daniels. Avant's pay-in at the 4:10 mark made the score 32-19. The Lynx ended the half with a three from Hannah Orth, making the count at the half, 37-26.
 
Avant posted a game high 17 points at the half for the Lynx. Daniels added eight to Rhodes' total with Dy'Nelle Todman chipping in five. Caitlyn Kriesel-Bigler led the Warriors with seven followed by Gallien who put up six.
 
Rhodes held Hendrix to just one of five shooting from beyond the three point arc, while the Warriors shot 45.5 percent from the field. Rhodes shot a similar 41.2 field goal percentage, connecting on two three point attempts. Rhodes also capitalized on the Warriors 17 first half turnovers with 18 points.
 
Coach Dean's squad continued to widen the gap in the second half, going on a 16-0 run, fueled by seven Avant points, and a pair of Sarah Johnson field goals. The run lifted the Lynx to a lead of 52-28 with 15:13 to play. Rhodes offense sustained production, reaching its largest lead of 38 points with 45 seconds left in the contest after a Jordan Quintin free throw.
 
The Lynx shot 47.1 percent from the field in the contest, with 31.6 percent from beyond the three point arc. Rhodes' defense held the Warriors to 41.7 percent shooting from the field.
 
Avant led all scorers posting 32 points in the outing, her second game over 30 points this season. The senior also pulled down six rebounds and grabbed four steals in the contest. Daniels added 18 points and 10 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. Daniels also grabbed four steals in the victory. Todman got into double digits as well with her 10 point performance.
 
The Warriors were led by Kriesel-Bigler who tallied up nine points. Gallien finished with eight points towards Hendrix' total.
 
Rhodes will hit the road for their first time in three weeks as they travel to Jackson, Miss. to face Millsaps College on Jan. 24 at 6 p.m.