Missouri Southern’s women’s basketball team was back in action for their final two games of the regular season last week against Lindenwood (Mo.) and Lincoln (Mo.).

The Lions have already clinched a spot in the MIAA tournament and were looking to get a possible third seed with wins over both Lindenwood and Lincoln, coupled with Pittsburg State (Kan.) dropping their final two games.

The Lions would stand toe to toe with Lindenwood first inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. The Lions won the first meeting between the two schools in St. Charles, Mo., 79-70 on Jan. 15.

The Lions assisted on 11 of their 14 first half buckets. Nic Hartzog was the only Lion to hit free throws as she went 6-6 from the line (6-8 team). The Lions led at the break, 41-33.

With 4:07 left in the second half, the Lions led by seven, 64-57. Lindenwood would go on a 6-0 run, forcing a Southern timeout and shrinking the lead to one with 1:15 left remaining in the second half. Hartzog hit two free throws with 12 seconds left before Jolee Sharp iced the game for the Lions with a layup to give the Lions a five-point victory, 68-63.

Hartzog led offensively with 22 points (16 points in the second half). She went 10-10 from the free throw line and added three assists. Kenya Brown dished out a career-high four assists, with each one leading to a three pointer. The Lions scored 21 points off turnovers, while assisting on 16 of their 24 baskets.

In the regular season finale, the Lions would see the visiting Lincoln Blue Tigers on senior day inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

“We wanted to close out their careers with a home win and with a secured ticket to Kansas City,” said Jordan Dinyer.

The Lions stretched their lead to 14 points, 40-26 with 1:42 left in the first half. Lincoln closed the half out on a 7-2 run as the Lions led 42-33 at the half.

Lex Fizpatrick hit a three at the 6:46 mark to give the Lions their biggest lead of the game, 70-49 (21).

The Lions coasted to a victory on senior day, 79-69.

The Lions were led offensively by a career night from Jenson Maydew. Maydew scored a career-high 18 points and pulled down seven boards. Senior Camila Lacerda came up just short of a triple-double. Lacerda scored 15 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds. Sharese Jones picked up her seventh double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while senior Shawnee Phillips scored 13. Seniors Hartzog and Sharp both scored six each while senior Shawnee Phillips scored five points and five boards.

“As if those [home win and ticket to Kansas City] wasn’t enough, they [seniors] also made history in being the first team in 19 years to have a 20-win season,” said Dinyer.

“It’s a great feeling to know that we were a part of something that will go down in history,” said Jones. “We were all very excited and proud to be able to say we were a part of this accomplishment.”

The Lions will be back in action today against Central Missouri in the second-round tournament.