MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Sarah Johnson became a member of the Rhodes 1,000 point club as the Rhodes women's basketball team took care of Southern Athletic Association business on Friday, downing Oglethorpe University, 68-51.
 
The Lynx improve to 15-7 on the year and 6-5 in conference play while the Stormy Petrels fall to 10-12 in 2014-2015 and 5-6 in league action.
 
Play opened with a lot of back and forth action, before the Lynx were able to gain control and build out to a 10 point lead by the 11:29 mark after a pair of three's from Hannah Orth and a Blaire Smith trey to post a 21-11 lead.
 
The Petrels threatened, pulling within four, but the Lynx put a quick stop to the Oglethorpe streak and pulled out to another double digit lead by the 5:29 mark after Jessie Ustick knocked down a mid-range jumper for the 31-21 lead.
 
Rhodes continued to keeps its distance, largely aided by the deep ball. Isabelle Tehrani hit a pair of free throws down the stretch to take a 38-28 lead into the halftime break.
 
At the midway point, the Lynx were led by Orth who tallied nine points on 3-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Natalie Goodrum added seven, with Trehrani, Dy'Nelle Todman and Symone Daniels each chipping in four points. On the Petrels side, Kendelle Culpepper led the way with eight points, with Reagan Merryman and Aisha Atwater each netting five.
 
Rhodes worked to widen the gap to start the second half, with back-to-back buckets from Todman and Smith to push to a 42-28 lead with 18:07 to play. After an old-fashioned three point play from Todman four minutes later, the Lynx lead swelled to 21 at 52-31.
 
Head coach Matt Dean's squad continued to control the ball game, and maintained a healthy lead. After drawing a foul on a three, Johnson took a trip to the free throw line for a chance at three. The senior made the first, and in doing so, scored her 1,000 point, becoming the first player in Lynx history to score 1,000 points and dish out 500 assists over her career. The Lynx held on for the 68-51 win.
 
Rhodes was led by Orth, who finished with 14 points, shooting 5-7 from the field. Todman worked her way into double figures, with 13 points and four rebounds. Johnson and Goodrum each netted 10 in the outing, with Johnson handing out four assists.
 
The Lynx shot 38.3 percent from the field in the contest, with a hot 30.4 from beyond the arc. Rhodes forced 17 Petrels turnovers, which they turned into 20 points.
 
Oglethorpe was led by Culpepper and Emily Buck, who each finished with 10 points apiece. Atwater netted eight in the outing. The Petrels shot 36.4 percent from the floor.
 
Rhodes will be back in action on Feb. 15 when they host Berry College at 1 p.m.