MEMPHIS - The Rhodes College women's basketball held off a furious rally from the Rust College Bearcats, even having to come-from-behind in the fourth, to earn a 73-67 win on Sunday evening at Mallory Gymnasium.

The Lynx shot 26-for-70 (37%) from the field and 9-for-19 (47%) from behind the arch as well as forcing 15 turnovers on the evening while only committing 11. On the other end, Rust shot 28-for-62 (45%) and 6-for-23 (26%) from three. The Bearcats caught fire in the second half, going 18-for-30 (60%) from the field. Rust also outrebounded Rhodes, 43-41, but the Lynx were able to haul in 20 offensive boards.

Rust jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, but Rhodes went on to outscore the Bearcats, 18-2, throughout the rest of the period to take an 18-8 lead. Rhodes would ride the hot shooting of junior Blaire Smith, who scored nine in the quarter, and sophomore Jessie Ustick, who scored eight, to push their lead to 38-24 at the break.

In the third, Rhodes continued to dominate, pushing their lead to as many as 19. However, Rust began to chip away, little-by-little, cutting the deficit to 12 at the end of the period. 

In the fourth, Jasmine Golden of Rust was on fire, scoring 18 of the Bearcats' first 20 points including four three pointers to put Rust up at 61-59, stunning the Lynx. Rhodes remained composed as senior Catherine Eckert fired back with back-to-back three-pointers to put Rhodes back ahead at 65-61. 

The Bearcats answered the bell again, getting back-to-back buckets to tie it back at 65. Junior Bailey Kramer would get a huge offensive rebound put back to move ahead by two and would then push it back to four with a layup. With a two point lead and 1:13 to go, Smith put the game away for good with a mid-range jumper as the Lynx survived.

Eckert finished with 20 points on the evening including six threes and 15 points in the second half alone. Kramer finished with a double-double, scoring 13 and pulling down 13 boards while Smith added 13 points and six assists. Ustick would finish with 10 points and seven rebounds. Kramer was excellent on the defensive end, leading the team with four steals. For Rust, Golden finished with 30 points including 22 in the second half while Demetrius Bradshaw added 14 points.

Rhodes will hit the road on Wednesday as they open up Southern Athletic Association play in Conway, Ark. against Hendrix College. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.