MAYFIELD, Ky. - In a back-and-forth game at Mayfield High School on Friday night, the Mid-Continent University women's basketball team had chances to snag a win in their final home non-conference game of the 2012-13 season. Unfortunately for the Cougars, protecting the basketball was a struggle for them all night, and those opportunities went by the boards.

Lindenwood University-Belleville (16-12) forced 29 Mid-Continent (7-17) turnovers in the game, and the Cougars left 13 points at the free throw line, as Lindenwood-Belleville avenged an earlier season road loss to Mid-Continent, taking a 79-76 win over the Cougars on their home floor.

The game was a sloppy one from the outset, but that did make for a competitive contest, as neither team held more than a one possession lead in the game until Mid-Continent took a four point edge at the 6:28 mark of the first half at 24-20. Mid-Continent eventually built a six point advantage, 28-22, with the clock showing 3:56 left in the period, but the Lady Lynx came back with a 10-4 spurt to close the half, knotting the score at 32 at intermission. The story was much the same through the first 10:29 of the second period, but with Mid-Continent trailing 53-52, a 7-0 Lindenwood-Belleville run pushed their lead out to eight points - the largest of the night for either team. Mid-Continent roared back, however, with back-to-back 3-pointers from Kara Carneyhan to cut the deficit to 60-58, then Breona Houston tied things once again at the 5:33 mark, leveling the score at 60. As the game wound to a close, Mid-Continent built a four point advantage, but missed the opportunity to push the lead farther at the free throw line, and the Lady Lynx did not miss their chance to take control. Lindenwood-Belleville scored eight straight points in the final moments to turn a 71-67 deficit into a 75-71 lead. Mid-Continent had three chances to tie the score, but all three shots clanged off the iron, and the Lady Lynx held on for the 79-76 win.

Five Cougars scored in double-figures, led by freshman Natalie Taylor's 19. Houston added a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Stephanie Malone and Lindsey Woody each scored 12, and Carneyhan added 11. Houston had four steals and three assists in the game as well. As a team, Mid-Continent made 25-of-62 (40.3%) shots from the floor, and 8-of-25 (32%) from long range. The foul line, however, was not kind to Mid-Continent, as they made just 18-of-31 (58.1%) charity tosses in the game.

Mid-Continent must now turn around in less than 24 hours and take on the Toppers of Blue Mountain College (15-9, 2-2). The game had originally been scheduled for 2 p.m., however, due to funeral services for Mid-Continent's Director of Campus Security Tye Jackson, the game has been pushed back to 6 p.m. Prior to the game, Mid-Continent will honor Stephanie Malone for scoring her 1,000th career point this season, and after the contest, the team will pay tribute to it's two seniors - Breona Houston and Lindsey Woody - as a part of Senior Night festivities.