GAFFNEY, S.C. – After cutting the deficit to eight points with a whole quarter remaining, the LMU women's basketball team saw host Limestone heat up in the fourth quarter and pull out to the late 15 point lead in an 81-66 loss Saturday afternoon at the Timken Center.

The loss drops the Lady Railsplitters to 4-5 overall on the season. They will now have a few days off for Christmas.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The two teams traded baskets early on until Limestone pulled out to the 13-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.
• Limestone used an 8-0 run to open the second quarter to move out to a 15 point lead. LMU would never get closer than 12 for the remainder of the half.
• The Saints would extend the lead to 22 points before LMU cut it down to 17.
• LMU then scored nine unanswered points to close out the third quarter trailing 55-47.
• Limestone then used a couple of small runs midway through the fourth quarter to pull away and hold on for the 81-66 victory.

KEY PLAYERS/STATS
• Lauren Flowers led LMU with 21 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four blocks.
• Lindsay Proffitt chipped in 12 points and five rebounds.
• Semajia Ogburn led LMU with eight rebounds, while Toni McCombs pulled down seven.
• Limestone was led by Schekinah Bimpa's 23 points and 18 rebounds.
• For the game, LMU shot 35.5 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from behind the arc, and 70.8 percent from the charity stripe.
• LC shot 47.3 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three-point range, and 69.6 percent from the free throw line.
• The Saints outrebounded LMU 45-41.
• Limestone outscored LMU in the paint 38-32 and had the 17-6 advantage in second chance points. The Lady Railsplitter bench outplayed Limestone's 25-20 and LMU had 20 points in the paint to LC's 18.
• This was the first meeting between the two schools, and the only time LMU will face Limestone College as the school will change their name to Limestone University next season. This will also be the only meeting between the two as non-conference opponents as LC will join the SAC next season.

UP NEXT
The Lady Railsplitters are off until January 4, when they travel to Newberry for a 2 p.m. SAC tilt against the Wolves.

Stay tuned to LMURailsplitters.com, as well as LMU's social media platforms - @LMURailsplitter on Twitter, @LMURailsplitters on Facebook and @lmurailsplitters on Instagram, for complete coverage of Lady Railsplitter basketball throughout the 2019-20 season.