MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Senior Sarah Johnson set a new Rhodes record, becoming the all-time assist leader as the Rhodes women's basketball  team defeated Augustana on Friday, 59-51 in the opening round of the Bancorp South Holiday Classic.
 
Johnson, surpassed the previous record of 453, to claim the assists record, and ended the night with a total of 459 career assists.
 
The Lynx improve to 9-1 on the year, while the Vikings fall to 4-4 to begin the season.
 
Coach Matt Dean's squad traded baskets with the Vikings for the opening 10 minutes of play, with neither team able to build much distance. After three ties and seven lead changes, a 13-0 run gave the Lynx the distance they needed. A run, fueled by a Symone Daniels three and layups from Bailey Kramer, Dy'Nelle Todman, and Isabelle Tehrani gave Rhodes a 27-14 advantage with 6:07 to play in the half.
 
As scoring began to slow, a Natalie Goodrum three sparked the Lynx offense at the 4:16 mark, giving Rhodes a 33-16 lead. With only four points scored in the final four minutes of play, a bucket for the Lynx and Vikings each, Rhodes took a 35-21 lead into the halftime break.
 
At the half, Daniels led all scorers with 10 points. Todman added nine, with Kramer chipping in eight points and seven rebounds by the mid-way mark. Augustana's scoring was led by Jenn VanWatermeulen, who notched seven points.
 
Rhodes shot 38.2 percent from the field in the first half, with a hot 37.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Vikings posted a 38.1 percent shooting total with a matching 37.5 percent from deep. Rhodes forced 12 first half turnovers, with five team steals.
 
In the second half of action, the Lynx worked to maintain their distance. After a pair of threes and a lay-in from Valerie VanRoeyen, the Vikings worked the deficit to single digits at 38-31 with 13:55 to play. Rhodes worked their lead back out to double digits after another Goodrum three with 6:49 to play gave the Lynx a 47-35 edge.
 
The Lynx fought to hold on to their lead, and after back-to-back trey balls from Johnson and Daniels, Coach Dean's squad held a 53-44 lead with two minutes to play in the contest. As the Vikings resorted to fouling, the Lynx held on with a strong showing from the charity stripe, and brought home the 57-51.
 
Daniels led all scorers with her 19 points, and with her 10 rebounds, earns her third straight double-double of the year. Johnson finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Todman netted nine points, with Kramer adding eight and 10 rebounds in the outing.
 
The Vikings were led by VanWatermeulen, who netted 17 points and seven rebounds. VanRoeyen chipped in 15 towards Augustana's total, with five rebounds.
 
Rhodes posted 31.6 percent from the field, and 40.0 percent from three point land. The Vikings shot 32.1 from the field and were held to 26.1 percent from beyond the arc.
 
Rhodes will return to action on Dec. 20 when they host Rust College in the final contest of the Bancorp South Holiday Classic.