HARROGATE, Tenn. – The LMU women's basketball team closes out a two-game South Atlantic Conference road swing as they make the short trip to Mars Hill for a Wednesday meeting with the Lions.

LMU is currently 8-6 on the season and 4-3 in SAC play following a gutsy win last Saturday at Catawba, where they weathered several first-half runs and took charge in the third quarter en route to a 72-59 win.

Rachel Griffith led LMU with 21 points, one shy of her career high, six assists and five steals. Sydney Newsome chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds while Lindsay Proffitt, Dasia Maxwell, and Emily Griffith each contributed 10 points.

LMU held Catawba to only 30 percent shooting from the field and 29.6 percent from three-point range, while shooting 47.2 percent and 61.5 percent from those areas. Catawba was credited with 44 rebounds, while LMU had 35.

Following this game, LMU will return home to face Lenoir-Rhyne Saturday afternoon.
 
SERIES HISTORY
· LMU leads the series 19-11. This series is one of LMU's oldest/longest against a current opponent, trailing only C-N, Tusculum and Tennessee Wesleyan in times played. LMU currently has a six game win streak in the series, but their last two losses were both in Mars Hill.

· The last time the two schools met was on Jan. 31, 2018 in Mars Hill. Mars Hill only had five players available due to injuries and LMU took advantage by opening the game on a 10-0 run and never looking back in a 91-62 win. Ross Mathis led LMU with 25 points, Rachel Griffith added in 15 points, and Jordan Brightwell led all players with 10 rebounds. Mariah Johnson led the Lions with 18 points. Valeriya Pokrovskaya added in 16, Gabby Glanikos 15, Jewel Watson had seven points before fouling out, and Cierra Hampton scored six points.

· In their last meeting in Harrogate, on Dec. 11, 2017, LMU grabbed the lead early and never looked back in the 107-62 win. LMU had six players in double figures, led by Shea Coker's 16 points. Emily Griffith, Kyndall Caudle and Qua Hines had 11 points each, while Karsen Sims and Rachel Griffith had 10 points apiece. Mariah Johnson led MHU with 16 points.
 
SCOUTING MARS HILL
· The Lions are 1-9 overall and 0-6 in SAC play this season. Last season, mainly due to injuries, they at more than one point in the season fielded only five players. This season they have more depth, but that hasn't yet translated into wins.

· Mariah Johnson leads Mars Hill in scoring (12.8), assists (4.2 a game) and steals (1.8). Tatum Boggs is close behind with 10.3 points a game. Alexis Perdue leads the Lions in rebounding with 6.3 a game, followed by Shayla Smith's 6.0 per game average.

· As a team, Mars Hill is being outscored by their opponents 51.2 to 76.8 points a game, and are being out-rebounded by their opponents by a -17.3 margin.

· Head Coach Jenny Finora is in her third year as head coach at Mars Hill. The former University of Kentucky point guard previously had stints at Coker and UAH in addition to a year as a player/coach in Iceland. She is currently on a leave of absence due to a concussion, so Assistant Coach Aaron Fernandez is currently the Interim Head Coach.

  
SCOUTING LMU
· Head Coach Krystal Evans is in her fifth season at LMU. She has an 85-49 overall record.
 
· LMU is seeing double as both Emily Griffith and her twin sister Rachel currently lead the team in scoring, with Emily edging out Rachel 15.6 points a game to 13.8. In conference games they flip spots as Rachel is averaging 17.0 points to Emily's 15.7. Dasia Maxwell has 8.6 and Sydney Duggins has 8.5 points a game while Sydney Newsome has 7.7.
 
· Rebounding is a team effort this season as Newsome leads the team in rebounds with 5.4 a game, while Shermeria Quarles is close behind with 5.0. Maggie Jachimczuk and Emily Griffith each have 4.6 per game averages, while Dasia Maxwell (4.4), Addi Kirkpatrick (4.1), and Sydney Duggins (4.0) are all averaging over four rebounds a game.  
 
· Emily Griffith leads the team with 3.6 assists a game while Rachel is averaging 1.9 steals a game. 
 
· LMU has four of the top 16 three-point shooters in the SAC, as Lindsay Proffitt (47.1) and Sydney Duggins (46.9) are first and second in the conference, respectively. Dasia Maxwell ranks 10th and Rachel Griffith is 12th.
 
· As a team, LMU is averaging 76.1 points a game while holding opponents to 73.3. They are out-rebounding opponents by a margin of +6.2 a game.
 
· LMU leads the SAC in three-point percentage and offensive rebounds per game. They are second in points per game, field goal attempts, made free throws and total rebounds per game. They rank third in points, made field goals, and assists per game; and rank fourth in rebound margin and steals per game.
 
RECORD WATCH
· POINTS –Emily Griffith currently has 761 points, placing her in 36th place and trails former teammate Josey Harding (2013-17) by seven points. Rachel Griffith isn't far behind at 40th with 677 points.
 
· FIELD GOALS – Emily Griffith is 32nd with 288 while Rachel Griffith is 49th. Dasia Maxwell is in 74th place.
 
· THREE-POINTERS – Rachel Griffith ranks 13th in made three pointers with 76 and trails Katrina Ottesen (2013-15) by 13. Sydney Duggins ranks 25th, while Dasia Maxwell is in 33rd place. Emily Griffith is in 53rd place.
 
· FREE THROWS – Emily Griffith is in 31st place with 166 free throws. She needs one to tie Lorie Compton (1983-87). Rachel Griffith is in 41st place with 145.
 
· REBOUNDS – Emily Griffith is tied for 60th with Sabrina O'Quinn (1978-80) with 241 rebounds. She needs five to tie current MMA pro fighter Olivia Reynolds (2001-05) for 59th place. Dasia Maxwell is 79th, Rachel Griffith is in 87th place and Cameryn DuBose is close behind at 95th. 

· ASSISTS – Emily Griffith is tied for 21st place with 189 assists Lori Neely (1985-89) and Rachel Peach (1981-85). She needs 28 to tie former teammate Ross Mathis (2014-18) and Liz McQueen (1980-84) for 19th. Rachel Griffith is 30th with 161. Dasia Maxwell is in 77th place.
 
· STEALS –Emily Griffith has 127 career steals, placing her at 18th along with Bridget Long (1990-94). She needs four to tie Sarah Crook (2000-04). Rachel Griffith is in 30th place with 109.