LEXINGTON, Ky. – On Friday, February 23^rd the #3 seed Mount St. Joseph University women's basketball team traveled to Transylvania University to take on the #2 seed Panthers of Hanover College in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament semifinal game. The Lions were looking for redemption after falling to Hanover twice during the regular season. The #2 seed Lions got started quickly jumping out to a 12-point lead at the break. Following halftime, the Lions were able to hold off Hanover by a score of 69-57 to advance to the HCAC Championship game. The Lions are set to face the defending HCAC and National Champions, the Pioneers of Transylvania.

To begin play, each squad traded baskets until the Lions were able to pull away. With 4:18 remaining in the quarter, the Lions would go on a 10-0 run including a pair of three-pointers from Ellie Oldendick and Karlee Mills. The run gave the Lions a 18-8 advantage with 2:25 left to play. Hanover answered with a pair of baskets but a late layup from Mills gave the Lions a 20-12 lead after the first ten minutes of basketball.   

To start the second, Hanover answered back offensively. The Panthers were able to trim their deficit to four with 3:49 left in the half. But, in the final three and a half minutes the Lions offense would lock-in ending the half on a 13-5 run. Three-pointers from Amanda Lovejoy, Morgan Jenkins and Oldendick powered the Lions run giving them a 36-24 halftime lead.

Out of the locker room, Hanover started with the hot hand. The Panthers got their first two shots to fall trimming their deficit to eight with just over eight minutes left to play in the third. The Mount quickly answered regaining their advantage with a layup from Hailey Guingrich to take a 43-30 lead with 5:28 left. Following the basket from Guingrich, the Lions defense stepped up. The Mount allowed just two field goals for the remainder of the quarter, taking a 54-37 advantage with one quarter left to play.  

In the final quarter of play, the Panthers looked sharp to start. Hanover started the quarter on a 10-2 run, trimming their deficit to nine with six and a half minutes to play. After an answer from The Mount, Hanover would again trim their lead to seven with just under five minutes left. But, that was as close as the Panthers would come as the Lions closed out the game on a 10-5 run. Free throws from Madison Drummonds and Jenkins closed out the game for the Lions as they avenged their two losses from the regular season taking down the #2 seed Hanover Panthers 69-57 in the HCAC Semifinal game.  

Jenkins led the way for the Lions with a monster game. The Sophomore finished with a double-double posting 13 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks. Drummonds also impressed finishing with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. Chloe Jansen did a little of everything finishing with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.   

MSJ will now face the top seed Transylvania Pioneers on Saturday, Feb 24th, with an NCAA Tournament bid and HCAC Championship on the line. Tip-off is scheduled for 6PM.  Those unable to attend in person can watch the game on HCAC.tv.