ATLANTA. Ga. – The Rhodes women's basketball squad uses a 30 point performance from Lauren Avant to overpower Oglethorpe, 80-54 on Sunday in Southern Athletic Association play.
 
The Lynx improve to 19-3 on the season, while posting a conference record of 11-1. The Stormy Petrels fall to 4-19 overall and 2-10 in SAA play.
 
Rhodes jumped out to an early 12-2 six minutes in after a host of Lynx put points on the board, including layups from Avant and Sarah Jonson and a three from Natalie Goodrum. Rhodes continued to forge ahead, when a lay-in and a three from Avant at the 12:33 mark gave the Lynx the 19-5 advantage.
 
The Lynx extended their lead to 17 as Johnson knocked down a mid-range jumper to post a 30-13 lead with 7:29 to play in the first half. Rhodes closed the half with a 7-1 run, fueled by Avant, to take a 46-19 lead into the break.
 
Avant racked up 19 points by the half time break, with Dy'Nelle Todman adding seven. The Petrels were led by Kendelle Culpepper, who posted seven in the first half. Rhodes shot 56.3 percent from the field in the first half, while Oglethorpe shot 24.0 percent from the field.
 
Coach Matt Dean's squad continued to apply the pressure in the second half, as the Lynx turned defense into offense. Avant scored the opening 11 points for the Lynx in the second half, pushing the Lynx lead to 57-27 with 15:42 to play. The rest of Rhodes continued to produce as well, as a Goodrum lay-in at the 7:56 mark pushed the Lynx advantage to 67-40. The Lynx closed out the contest strong, posting a 80-54 win over the Stormy Petrels.
 
Avant led all scorers with her 30 points, and also grabbed a double-double with her 12 rebounds. Avant was 12-18 from the field, including shooting two for three from beyond the three point arc. She also grabbed three assists, three steals and one block in the outing. Symone Daniels also posted 11 points, followed by Bailey Kramer who added nine points and eight rebounds. Johnson posted eight points to go with five assists and one steal for the Lynx.
 
Oglethorpe was led by Alana Bentley who netted 13 points, followed by Ciara Hughes, who totaled 12 points. Rhodes held the Petrels to just 36.5 percent shooting from the field, with 21.4 percent from beyond the three point arc. Rhodes also forced 18 turnovers,
 
Rhodes posted a shooting percentage of 45.6 percent, while knocking down seven three point attempts. The Lynx also out-rebounded their opponents by a margin of 45-34.
 
Rhodes will wrap up regular season play next weekend, as the Lynx face Sewanee on Feb. 21 and the second place Centre College on Feb. 23.

With the win, the Lynx have clinched the No. 1 seed for the SAA Tournament, and the right to host the SAA Tournament. The tournament will be held on Friday, Feb. 28 through March 2.