BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's basketball team led the entire game but could not put Rhodes College away until the final minutes as the Cru posted an 85-74 victory over the Lynx Sunday in Belton. UMHB improves to 4-1 on the season with the win. The loss drops Rhodes to 3-4 on the year.
 
The Cru scored the game's first four points and built a 16-9 lead after the opening period. The Lynx answered each UMHB surge and were within 23-21 with 6:11 to go in the second quarter. The Cru went on a 12-4 to take the lead into double figures and UMHB led 40-29 at halftime. The Lynx fought back again to open the second half and cut the lead to 46-45 with 6:40 remaining in the third quarter. The Cru used a 10-0 run to retake control and led by as many as 16 points in the final quarter to ease to its fourth consecutive victory.
 
Allaira Jones led UMHB with 20 points and Ke'Aunna Johnson added a career-high 15 points. Kandyce Shepard scored 14 and Hannah Holt chipped in 12 for the Cru. Alicia Blackwell had 10 rebounds and Madison McCoy dished off seven assists. UMHB scored 58 of its points in the paint and shot 48 percent from the field. The Cru out rebounded the Lynx 46-28 and blocked five shots as UMHB made the most of its size advantage.
 
Kiera Downey led four players in double figures with 21 points for Rhodes. Alyssa Owens added 17 points. The Lynx shot 48 percent from the field and hit 7-19 three-pointers on the day.
 
UMHB returns to action with another home, non-conference game next weekend. The Cru will welcome nationally-ranked Whitman College to the Mayborn Campus Center for a 6 pm tip-off next Saturday.