MARS HILL, N.C. – The LMU women's basketball team held off a determined Mars Hill squad to pick up their third straight win Wednesday evening as they defeated the Lions 76-70 in a South Atlantic Conference contest.

Emily Griffith had another 20-plus point performance for LMU as she led all scorers with 25 points. She also had eight rebounds and five assists. Twin sister Rachel Griffith scored 18 points, while Maggie Jachimczuk had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

For the game, LMU went 40.6 percent (26-64) from the field, 28.6 percent (4-14) from three point range and 83.3 percent (20-24) from the free throw line. They also out-rebounded Mars Hill 54-45 for the evening.

Rachel Griffith put LMU ahead 3-0 with a basket on LMU's opening possession. LMU then went ice cold for the next six minutes, going scoreless while the Lions went on an 8-0 run. The Lady Railsplitters then took a 9-8 lead and closed out the quarter with a basket from Emily Griffith and a three-pointer from Lindsay Proffitt to take a 14-10 lead.

The second quarter saw LMU heat up both offensively and defensively as they shot 31.6 percent from the field while holding Mars Hill to a mere 7-1 percent shooting from the floor for the stanza. A three by Emily Griffith put the Lady Railsplitters ahead by 11 points mid-way through the quarter and the Lions never got closer than eight points for the rest of the half.

The Lions came roaring back in the third quarter and took advantage of LMU fouls to tie the game at 37-37 with 4:32 remaining. After both teams scored a basket, LMU went on a 7-0 run to get some breathing room. Mars Hill once again cut the lead to three, 48-45, when Rachel Griffith was fouled shooting a three in the deep corner. She converted all three free throws to put LMU ahead 51-48 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Lady Railsplitters extended the lead to double-digits twice in the fourth period before the Lions made a run to cut the lead to 65-60. Foul trouble started to affect both teams at this point, with LMU having an outstanding night at the line for most of the evening as they hit all of their first 18 free throws and went 20-24 for the game, which enabled them to keep a two possession lead. Mars Hill would cut the score to 75-70 with six seconds remaining, but could come no closer as LMU held on for the 76-70 win.

Mars Hill had four players in double figures, led by Alexis Purdue's 18 points. Tatum Boggs and Mariah Johnson chipped in 13 points apiece while Brooke Vilcinskas added in 12 points. Shayla Smith had a game-high 13 rebounds.

The Lions shot 27.1 percent (19-70) for the game from the field, 36.8 (7-19) from three-point range, and 67.6 percent (25-37) from the free throw line.

LMU will return to the Turner Arena Saturday to host Lenoir-Rhyne for a 2 p.m. SAC contest.