MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The No. 23 ranked Rhodes women's basketball team used a team effort to take down Rust College on Saturday, 64-46.
 
The Lynx improve to 10-1 on the season, while the Bearcats fall to 3-12 on the year.
 
Symone Daniels got things started for the Lynx, knocking down a deep try on Rhodes first possession of the game. With three layups in a row for the Lynx, including fast break points from Daniels, and Dy'Nelle Todman, the Lynx pushed out to a 9-4 lead by the 16:34 mark.
 
The Bearcats fought back to tie the score at 17-17 all by the 10 minute mark after a Kala Williams three and a Demetrius Bradshaw free throw. The Lynx had an answer, as they mounted a 12-1 run, sparked by back-to-back threes from Todman and Erin Deery, to take a 29-18 lead with six minutes left in the first half. Rust tried to gain momentum to close the half, as Rust closed the gap to 31-24 by the half time break.
 
At the break, Williams led all scorers with 12 points and six rebounds. Bradshaw tallied five first half points. The Lynx were led by Daniels who posted double figures by the break at 10, with Todman, Bailey Kramer and Deery each scoring five.
 
Rhodes shot 36.4 percent from the field, while holding their opponents to just a 26.9 field goal percentage.
 
In the second half the Rhodes offense got off to a hot start, scoring 10 straight points, with three lay-ins from Todman and Daniels adding a bucket to make the score 41-24 by the 16:26 mark. Rhodes continued to keep a healthy distance, with the lead swelling to 17 after Blaire Smith weaved in for the bucket in the paint to make the count 49-32 with 10:23 to play.
 
A pair of three's from Goodrum and Daniels to close the half sealed the deal for the Lynx. Coach Matt Dean's squad held strong, with sound defense and solid offensive output to hold on for their 10th win of the season, downing the Bearcats, 64-46.
 
Leading all scorers with 20 was Daniels, who also grabbed six rebounds in the win. Todman netted 13 points, three rebounds and two assists in the outing, while Kramer recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Lynx.
 
The Bearcats were led by Williams who finished with 18 points and nine rebounds, followed by Bradshaw who scored 17 and grabbed eight rebounds.
 
Rhodes posted 35.9 percent shooting from the field, with five made three's on the day. Rust was held to a 28.8 field goal percentage. The Lynx forced 18 Bearcat turnovers, and notched 28 points in the paint.
 
Rhodes will enjoy a break for the holidays before returning to action in the New Year on Jan. 5.