HARROGATE - Mars Hill defeated Lincoln Memorial University 81-67 on the road Saturday night, 81-67 in SAC women's basketball action. All five of the Lions' starters recorded double-figures in scoring in the win. The Lions improved to 14-9 overall and 7-5 in the SAC while the Railsplitters fell to 11-12 on the season and 3-12 in league action. (Box score)

Jessica Blanford hit a layup with 9:49 left in the first half to give MHC a 13-11 lead and the Lions would never trail again. The Lions went on a 22-to-12 run to close out the first period and go into the locker room up 35-23 at the intermission.

The second frame belonged to the Lions. MHC extended their advantage to as many as 24 points (67-43) with 7:29 left in regulation after Danielle Francis hit a shot in the lane. LMU cut the deficit to 11 points with 3:12 left in the contest but that was as close as they could get.

Ariel Okunowo led all scorers with 20 points followed by Blanford and Allison Schafer who scored 14 points apiece. Blanford recorded a double-double tallying 10 rebounds. The Lions converted on 52.6% (30-57) of their field goals and won the rebound battle, 38-to-32.

Madeline Richards (Floyds Knobs, IN) led LMU with 18 points and five assists. Betsy Bowser (Galveston, IN) added 15 points and six rebounds.

MHC will host Catawba College on Monday night at 6 p.m. LMU will play at Lenoir-Rhyne College on Monday night, also at 6 p.m.