CLEVELAND, Tenn. --- Mississippi College had three players score in double figures, but it wasn't enough as the No. 7 Lee University Lady Flames defeated MC, 82-55, on Thursday, Jan. 23 in Cleveland, Tenn. The Lady Choctaws fall to 8-9 on the season and 5-6 in Gulf South Conference action while LU improved to 18-1 and 10-1 in the conference.
 
Shanell Kitchens posted a roster-best 18 points in the setback for the Navy and Gold. Zariah Matthews added 12 while Mikeba Jones supplied 11 points. Moriah Hurst led the squad with five rebounds. MC shot 32.7 percent from the floor, including 25 percent from behind the arc, and 75 percent from the free throw line.
 
Lee was led by Haley Schubert with 15 points. Nicky Widenski grabbed a team-best eight rebounds. The conference's top team shot 44.4 percent from the field, including a clip of 32.3 from the 3-point line. LU shot 61.5 percent from the charity stripe.
 
Game Score: Mississippi College 55 | No. 7 Lee 82
Date: Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020
Location: Cleveland, Tenn. | Paul Dana Walker Arena
Records: Lady Choctaws 8-9, 5-6 GSC | Lady Flames 18-1, 10-1 GSC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
>> After MC scored the first basket of the game on a jumper from Moriah Hurst, Lee went on an 18-1 run to close out the quarter.
>> The Lady Flames extended their lead to 20 points, 25-5, on a jumper from Lindsey Roddy with 6:37 left before the intermission. MC managed to work the deficit to 15 points, but back-to-back 3-pointers ended the quarter on a 6-0 for the home team as they took a 38-21 lead in at the break.
>> LU expanded its margin in the third grabbing as much as a 39-point advantage, its largest of the game, with 2:45 left in the third quarter.
>> MC outscored Lee 18-12 in the final period.
 
INSIDE THE BOX
>> Kitchens has scored in double figures in the last eighth contests and 13th of the season.
>> Matthews posted double figures for the seventh consecutive game and 13th on the campaign.
>> Jones scored in double figures for the 10th time this season.
>> Hurst has led the team in rebounds eight times on the campaign – the best on the team.
>> The three points in the first quarter is the fewest in a quarter by the Lady Choctaws this season.
>> The 21-point halftime lead marked the largest lead by opponent this season as it surpassed the previous high of 13 points by Montevallo on Nov. 25.
 
NEXT UP
Mississippi College returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 25 as it faces the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.