Lynx Capture Third Straight Women's Basketball Title
JACKSON, Miss. - For the third straight year the Rhodes College Lynx captured the SAA women's basketball title and automatic berth into the NCAA's. This time, the Lynx bested top-seed Millsaps 62-46 on the Majors home floor to hoist the trophy.
RHODES-MILLSAPS CHAMPIONSHIP BOX SCORE
Recap provided by Rhodes sports information:
JACKSON, Miss. – The Rhodes women's basketball team brought home their third consecutive Southern Athletic Association title on Sunday, defeating Millsaps College, 62-46
The Lynx improve to 20-8 on the year and receive an at large bid to the NCAA Championship Tournament, while the Majors potentially finish the season at 22-6.
The championship matchup may give Lynx fans déjà vu, with the same matchup taking place in Jackson two years ago for the same stakes. Head coach Matt Dean and his squad remember the outcome of that contest, as they tried to reproduce its results.
The Lynx came out firing, scoring 12 unanswered points to take the early 12-0 lead after three's from Sarah Johnson and Blaire Smith. Rhodes continued it domination and sharp shooting, when Symone Daniels knocked down a trey at the 11:44 mark for the 20-4 advantage.
Rhodes continued to pour it on, with an 11-3 run down to the 3:33 mark to push out to a 31-7 lead. The Lynx didn't let up down the stretch, and a Natalie Goodrum three to close the half gave Rhodes a 39-12 lead heading into the break.
At the midway mark, they Lynx were led by Daniels who netter 12, followed by Goodrum who added 10. Johnson chipped in eight, with Smith nabbing five. For the Majors. Sam Perez led the way with five points.
In the second half, the Lynx aimed to hold on to their advantage but the No. 1 seed Millsaps was not ready to go down without a fight. The Majors came out of the break and posted an 8-2 run down to the 13:42 mark to cut the Lynx lead to 41-20.
The Lynx managed to get ahold of things, and maintained a sound lead. A Smith three at the 3:47 mark gave Rhodes a 55-31 lead. The Lynx held on for the win, and the title, posting a commanding 62-46 win.
Daniels led all scorers with 21 points, with Goodrum adding 12. Johnson and Smith each got into double figures, with 10 points apiece. Miah Brooks led the Majors with 10 points, while Beverly Holmes finished with nine points.
Rhodes will await the NCAA Tournament release to see where they will play next.
2015 SAA Women's Basketball All-TournmentTeam
BSC- Jasymnn Batts
Oglethorpe- Ciara Hughes
Centre- Maggie Hartlage
Sewanee- Kayla Sewell
Hendrix- Sara Dyslin
Berry- Chanlir Segarra
Millsaps- Velvet Johnson, Miah Brooks
Rhodes- Sarah Johnson, Symone Daniels -MVP