Harrogate, Tenn. -- The Lady Railsplitters (12-7, 9-5 SAC) used a 19-4 second quarter run and defensive pressure to force Lenoir-Ryne (6-11, 5-8 SAC) into one of their worst shooting performances of the season as LMU won 65-49 in the Tex Turner Arena Saturday afternoon.

LMU was led by Shea Coker (Knoxville, Tenn.) who came off the bench to score ten points. Megan Pittman (Liberty, Ky.) had eight points and a game-high nine rebounds. Jasmine Kelly (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Blake Lamb (Bean Station, Tenn.) also chipped in eight points apiece. Stephanie Smith came off the bench and led all players with five blocks.

As a team, the Lady Railsplitters shot a season-high 52.1% (25-48) from the field, 36.4% (4-11) from three-point range and 78.6% (11-14) from the free throw line. Lenoir-Rhyne went 24.2% (15-62) from the field, which was their second lowest shooting percentage of the season. The Bears also went 23.1% (3-13) from three-point range and 66.7% (16-24) from the charity stripe. LMU outrebounded Lenoir-Rhyne 44-32, which marks the 16th time in 19 games this season the Lady Railsplitters have held the advantage on the boards.

The Lady Railsplitters grabbed an early 6-0 lead only to see the Bears come back and take a 7-6 lead with 2:42 left in the quarter. After the teams traded baskets, the Bears went ahead 11-8 following a pair of free throws by Jasmine Stafford. A three-pointer by Coker and a basket from Kelly off a pass by Coker put LMU ahead 14-11 at the end of the first frame.

Lenoir-Rhyne came back early in the second period to take the 17-16 lead at the 8:17 mark, but then a basket by Dasia Maxwell (Knoxville, Tenn.) sparked a huge run that saw the Lady Railsplitters outscore the Bears 19-4 over the rest of the quarter. A short jumper by Rahel Griffith (Oliver Springs, Tenn.) gave LMU the 35-21 lead at the half.

The third quarter saw LMU's defensive pressure come into play as they held the Bears to only 10 points in the period. A Stafford layup cut the score to 40-28 with 4:42 left in the quarter but the Lady Railsplitters quickly shut the door as they then on a 6-3 run to close out the frame with the 46-31 lead.

The final period saw the Lady Railsplitters extend their lead to 61-36 with 3:26 remaining in the game as Ross Mathis (Greer, S.C.) hit a three-pointer off the assist by Lamb. The Bears did put together a 13-4 run late in the period, but it was too little, too late as the Lady Railsplitters coasted to their 12th win of the season.

Stafford led the Bears with 15 points and four steals. Shelly Harper added in 12 points while Brooke Robinson led L-R with seven rebounds.

Quick Hits
This win marks the first time the Lady Railsplitters have swept a season series with the Bears since LMU joined the SAC in 2006-07... LMU's bench outscored Lenoir-Rhyne's 45-13.... The Bears had 19 points off turnovers to LMU's eleven and they also had eight second-chance points to the Lady Railsplitters' five.... Both teams had 18 points in the paint... LMU's 22 turnovers mark the 12th time this season they have had 19 or more turnovers in a contest. They are 9-3 overall in those games.

Up Next
The Lady Railsplitters host Brevard Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm in the Tex Turner Arena. Brevard comes into Wednesday's game having lost 83-79 to Coker on Saturday. LMU won the previous meeting this season 72-70 back on December 14. It will be White Out Night as the Lady Railsplitters will celebrate the 25 anniversary of the Tex Turner Arena, which was opened on Feb. 2, 1991 when LMU defeated Alabama-Huntsville 112-95.