CLEVELAND, Tenn. - In the annual Homecoming exhibition contest, the Lee University women's basketball team warmed up for next weekend's Gulf South Conference/Sunshine State Conference Challenge with a 65-35 victory over Maryville College on Saturday afternoon inside Paul Dana Walker Arena.

The Lady Flames will open the regular season next Friday when they host Florida Southern College (1 p.m.) and then face an even bigger challenge in the University of Tampa on Saturday (12 p.m.).

Coach Marty Rowe used 13 players in the win over the Scots, and nine players put points on the board. Anna Muhonen led the way with 13 points while newcomer Libby Privett added 11. Bailey Burgess and Abby McFarland chipped in with eight markers apiece.

Keira Leffew grabbed 16 rebounds and Baylee Delbridge pulled down 10 as the Lady Flames outrebounded the Scots 51-31. The Lee defense held the visitors to 23% shooting from the field (12-of-52) and 24% from 3-point range (4-of-17). Maryville College made 7-of-13 free throws.

It was not a great shooting day for Lee. They shot 37% overall (25-of-67) and hit just 6-of-27 treys (22%). The Lady Flames did make 9-of-10 charity tosses. The defense forced 24 Maryville turnovers and committed 16 floor mistakes.
The visitors did not have a player in double-figure scoring. Kadence Stoner had eight points, and Ella Tharpe and Chloe Powell totaled five each. Tharpe was also the leading rebounder with five.

Coach Marty Rowe's thoughts:
"This game was a good first step for our team. Obviously, we have a way to go but that is just a part of the growth of progress. We need to get back to work tomorrow and look to make improvement in preparation for next weekend's start to our regular season."