BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Lauren Avant helped lead the Rhodes women's basketball team past Birmingham-Southern College, 74-59 Sunday in Southern Athletic Association play.
 
The Lynx advance to 13-3 on the season and 5-1 in league play, while the Panthers fall to 7-10 overall and move to an even 3-3 in the SAA.
 
Rhodes began the contest with a lot of back and forth action, but ultimately grabbed the lead at the 16:07 mark after a three different scores from Avant, including two three pointers, made the early score 11-4.  Rhodes continued to distance themselves from the Panthers as they pushed ahead to a 26-10 lead with 11:14 to play in the first half, after a 13-0 run, propelled by a host of Lynx. Rhodes' defense worked hard to quiet the Panthers, and closed out the half with a three from Dy'Nelle Todman and a bucket from Bailey Kramer to make the halftime count, 44-24.
 
Avant led the way at the half with 17 points, followed by eight points from Symone Daniels. Bria Dupree posted seven points at the break for Birmingham-Southern.
 
Rhodes held the Panthers to just 25.9 percent shooting from the field in the first half, paired with a mere 16.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The Lynx posted a 38.9 percent shooting total, and knocked down four first half threes.
 
Rhodes continued to take it to the Panthers in the second half, with Todman and Avant knocking down back-to-back threes at the 16:19 mark, to extend the Lynx lead to 52-28. Coach Matt Dean's squad reached its largest lead with 14:39 left to play when Sarah Johnson worked her way into the paint for a basket, giving the Lynx the 57-28 advantage. The scoring onslaught persisted, as Johnson buried another pair of buckets at the 2:33 mark, to make the score 74-49 in favor of the Lynx. The Panthers closed out the contest with a 10-0 run, but the rush of scoring wasn't enough, as Rhodes claimed a 74-59 victory.
 
Avant finished the game as the high-scorer with her 29 point performance. The senior earned her second straight double-double with her 11 rebounds. Johnson netted 12 points in the outing, to go with six rebounds and five assists. Daniels and Todman each reached double-digit figures, with 10 apiece. Daniels grabbed another double-double with her 13 rebounds. Elizabeth Bromiski led the Panthers with 12 points and seven rebounds, followed by seven points from Dupree.
 
Rhodes held its opponent to 33.3 percent shooting on the day, with only 20.0 percent shooting from three point land. The Lynx fired up 30.6 percent from the field and converted six three pointers.
 
The Lynx will return home for their next contest as they host SAA rivals Sewanee on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m.