SEWANEE, Tenn. – The Rhodes women's basketball team soars past Sewanee, 54-44 on Friday night in the final weekend of Southern Athletic Association action.
 
The Lynx advance to a 20 win season, notching a 20-3 overall record and a 12-1 record in conference. The Tigers fall to 9-15, 2-11 in SAA play.
 
The Lynx opened with a Lauren Avant bucket to take the early 2-0 lead, but Sewanee worked to keep it a close ball game. The Tigers grabbed their first lead of the night at 13:44 with Savannah Rose made a three pointer, followed by a Paige Lowe lay-in to take an 8-4 lead. Rhodes evened it back up at eight all after a Bailey Kramer layup at the 11:25 mark, and pushed their advantage, building to a 16-8 lead with 9:11 to play.
 
The Lynx built on their lead, and had a strong end to the first half, with Avant posting the Lynx final eight points with a pair of threes to give Rhodes a 31-20 advantage heading into the halftime break.
 
Avant led the way in scoring in the first half, netting 17 points. Symone Daniels added six points for the Lynx, with Kramer adding four. The Tigers were led by Kayla Sewell who had six, followed by Jamie Chauvin and Casey Hassett who each scored four.
 
Rhodes shot a first half field goal percentage of 38.2 percent, while knocking down two, three-pointers. Sewanee shot 33.3 percent from the field, with only one first half three.
 
Head Coach Matt Dean's squad worked to build on its lead, and opened the half with a pair of Dy'Nelle Todman free throws to make it 32-20 just 41 seconds into the half. Avant continued to pave the way, scoring the next seven Lynx points, pushing out to a 40-25 lead with 15:04 to play. Sewanee wasn't ready to throw in the towel, as they steadily chipped away at the Lynx lead.
 
The Tigers pulled within 12 with 7:07 to play, as a pair of Clarissa free throws made the count 46-34. The Lynx put away any Tiger hopes, as they slowed the contest and scoring, and finished out the night on the free throw line, shooting four for four in the final minute of play to post a 54-44 victory.
 
Avant led all scorers with her 30 point performance, to go with eight rebounds on the night. Daniels added 12 to the Lynx total, added to four rebounds and three steals. Kramer chipped in six points and four rebounds, with Blair Smith adding four.
 
Sewanee's efforts were led by Chauvin, who netted 10 points in the outing. Casey Hassett and Medley each added eight apiece, with Paige Lowe scoring seven.
 
The Lynx shot 35.1 percent in the contest, while forcing 28 Tiger turnovers. Sewanee posted 39.5 percent shooting from the field, with only three made three pointers.
 
Coach Dean's squad has secured a No. 1 seed in the upcoming SAA tournament, which gives them the right to host. The tournament will take place Feb. 28 through March 2.
 
Rhodes will wrap up its regular season on Sunday, Feb. 23 as the Lynx face off against Centre College. The Lynx will tip off against the second place Colonels at 12 p.m.