MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Rhodes women's basketball team posted a strong win over LeTourneau University on Saturday, 81-70.
 
The Lynx improve to 3-1 on the year, while the Yellow Jackets move to 1-1 on the season.
 
The battle was a close one, as neither team could establish a substantial lead in the opening half of play. Dy'Nelle Todman got things rolling for the Lynx, when she knocked down the opening basket at the 19:07 mark to take the early lead.
 
Rhodes worked out to a six point lead, after an 8-0 run, featuring an Erin Deery three and a lay-in from Isabelle Tehrani to make the count 16-10 at the 12:25 mark. The Lynx were able to keep their distance for a period, but the Yellow Jackets charged back to take the lead with 7:19 to play in the half after a Jada Roberts layup made the count 24-23.
 
Coach Matt Dean's squad wouldn't be held down for long, as the Lynx regained the lead, and built on the advantage to distance themselves from LeTourneau. A nine point swing, capped by a three from Madison Butler made the score 39-30, in favor of Rhodes with 1:48 to play in the half. LeTourneau closed out the half with a three of their own and a pair of free throws to cut the lead to four at the break, 39-35.
 
Roberts led the Yellow Jackets, and all scorers at the half with her 14 points. Ashley Stephens added nine points at the half way mark.
 
Daniels was the Lynx leader, with 11 points and six rebounds at the break, followed by nine points from Blaire Smith and a solid eight points from Bailey Kramer. Rhodes posted 41.7 percent shooting in the opening half, with 30.0 percent from beyond the arc. The Lynx held LeTourneau to 28.2 percent shooting from the field, and a mere 28.6 percent from beyond the arc.
 
To open the second half, the Lynx quickly built their lead back out to eight, after a pair of buckets from Kramer, and a Smith jumper to lead 48-40 with 16:50 to play. The Lynx lead fluctuated over the next few possessions, but Rhodes was able to hold onto their advantage.  A Deery lay-in and three combo, added to a Daniels layup gave Rhodes their largest lead of 13, at 70-57 at the 6:08 mark.
 
The game tempo picked up, but the Lynx easily kept pace, going tick for tack with the Yellow Jackets. Rhodes built on their lead down the stretch, back to back buckets from Todman and Kramer stretched the Rhodes advantage to 78-61 at the two minute warning. The Lynx withstood a late Yellow Jackets charge to hold on for the 81-70 win.

Daniels led all scorers with her 23 points and 13 rebounds, to post her first double-double of the season. Erin Deery chipped in 15 points in the outing, with Smith adding 13 points. Todman also worked her way into double digits with her 11 points, and six rebounds. 
 
Rhodes will be back in action after the holiday when they host Austin College on Nov. 30 at 4 p.m.