HARROGATE, Tenn. – The LMU women's basketball team returns to the road and to South Atlantic Conference play as they travel to Salisbury, North Carolina to face Catawba Saturday afternoon.

LMU is currently 7-6 on the season and 3-3 in SAC play. They last played on Monday when they used an early run to take a double-digit lead and never looked back in the 86-66 win over UVa-Wise.

Emily Griffith led LMU for the sixth straight contest as she had 22 points off of 8-for-15 shooting from the field and a 5-of-6 performance from the free throw line in addition to two blocks. Jachimczuk had a pair of career highs in her second double-double of the season as she had 17 points and 14 rebounds, both new personal bests for the sophomore.

Sydney Newsome chipped in 15 points and Rachel Griffith had ten points. Dasia Maxwell flirted with a double-double as she had seven points and ten rebounds.

LMU dominated on the boards by a 59-31 advantage and held UVa-Wise to 32.9 percent shooting for the game while having one of their better offensive outputs of the season by going 27-64 from the field.

Following this game, LMU will play at Mars Hill Wednesday evening.
 
SERIES HISTORY
· LMU leads the series 13-12. This series has been one where the home team definitely has the advantage as LMU is 10-3 in Harrogate while Catawba is 9-3 in Salisbury.

· The last time the two schools met was in the SAC Tournament quarterfinals last year, when LMU hosted the Catawba Indians. The Lady Railsplitters never trailed as they cruised to the 76-67 victory. Shea Coker led LMU with 16 points in her final Tex Turner Arena appearance, Dasia Maxwell had 14 points and Emily Griffith chipped in 10 points. Brianna Hodges led Catawba with 18 points and Serena Brown added in 16. LMU dominated in rebounding by a 57-29 margin.

· In their last meeting in Salisbury, on Jan. 20, 2018, LMU had probably their worst shooting performance in years as they went 25.7 percent from the field for the game in a 65-47 loss. Emily Griffith led LMU with 12 and Rachel Griffith chipped in 10 points. Serena Brown led Catawba with 17 points.
 
SCOUTING CATAWBA
· The Catawba Indians are 8-5 overall and 3-3 in SAC play following a 70-54 win over Coker Wednesday evening. They are currently 6-0 in Goodman Gym.

· Tasha DeShazo leads Catawba in scoring (14.7) and rebounds (7.5). Talia Barnes is second in both categories, averaging 12.8 points and 6.9 rebounds a game. Madison Hallman is averaging 10.2 points a game.

· As a team, Catawba is outscoring their opponents 69.3 to 62.4 points a game, and are out-rebounding their opponents by a +3.5 margin.

· Catawba is second in the SAC in offensive rebounds per game (behind LMU). They rank fourth or lower in most categories.

· Head Coach Terrence Baxter is in his first year as head coach at Catawba after being an assistant coach there since 2013.
 
SCOUTING LMU
· Head Coach Krystal Evans is in her fifth season at LMU. She has an 84-49 overall record.
 
· LMU is seeing double as both Emily Griffith and her twin sister Rachel currently lead the team in scoring, with Emily narrowly edging out Rachel 16.1 points a game to 13.2. In conference games the margin is even closer with Rachel scoring 16.1 points a game and Emily 16.3. Emily is also averaging 3.6 assists a game while Rachel is averaging 1.8 steals a game. Dasia Maxwell and Sydney Duggins each have 8.5 points a game.
 
· Rebounding is a team effort this season as Shermeria Quarles and Sydney Newsome both lead the team in rebounds average-wise with 5.3 a game. Maggie Jachimczuk (4.7), Dasia Maxwell and Emily Griffith (4.5), Addi Kirkpatrick (4.3), and Sydney Duggins (4.0) are all averaging over four rebounds a game.  
 
· LMU has four of the top 16 three-point shooters in the SAC, as Sydney Duggins (46.9) and Lindsay Proffitt (43.8) are first and second in the conference, respectively. Rachel Griffith is 14th and Dasia Maxwell ranks 16th.
 
· As a team, LMU is averaging 76.5 points a game while holding opponents to 74.4. They are out-rebounding opponents by a margin of +7.4 a game.
 
· LMU leads the SAC in three-point percentage, made free throws and offensive rebounds per game. They are second in field goal attempts and total rebounds per game. They rank third in points, points per game, made field goals, and assists per game; and rank fourth in rebound margin.

 
RECORD WATCH
· POINTS –Emily Griffith became the 37th to pass the 700 points mark with her 33 points against Newberry.  She currently has 751 points and trails Karmella Wynne (2001-04) by four points. Rachel Griffith isn't far behind at 41st with 656 points.
 
· FIELD GOALS – Emily Griffith is 33rd with 284 while Rachel Griffith is 49th. Dasia Maxwell is in 75th place.
 
· THREE-POINTERS – Rachel Griffith ranks 13th in made three pointers with 75 and trails Katrina Ottesen (2013-15) by 14. Sydney Duggins ranks 25th, while Dasia Maxwell is in 36th place. Emily Griffith is in 54th place.
 
· FREE THROWS – Emily Griffith is tied for 31st place with Heather Benton (2004-08) with 166 free throws. She needs two to tie Lorie Compton (1983-87). Rachel Griffith is in 41st place with 139.
 
· REBOUNDS – Emily Griffith is tied for 62nd with Sarah Crook (2000-04) with 236 rebounds. She needs four to tie Viola Cowan (1978-79) for 61st place. Dasia Maxwell is 81st, Rachel Griffith is in 87th place and Cameryn DuBose is close behind at 95th. 

· ASSISTS – Emily Griffith is in 23rd place with 186 assists and needs three to tie Lori Neely (1985-89) and Rachel Peach (1981-85) for 21st. Rachel Griffith is 31st with 155. Dasia Maxwell is in 77th place.
 
· STEALS –Emily Griffith has 125 career steals, placing her at 19th along with Brandy Brown (1994-98). She needs two to tie Bridget Long (1990-94). Rachel Griffith is tied for 31st place with 104.