Lincoln Comes Back to Defeat CMS Women's Basketball in Season Opener

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Grace Florendo matched her career high with 14 points and Ruva Kiara had a career-high 16 rebounds, but Lincoln University came back to defeat the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's basketball team 75-68 to spoil the Athenas' season opener on Friday evening at Roberts Pavilion.

Lincoln moves to 3-3 on the win, while CMS starts out the year at 0-1. Tanya Ghai also finished in double figures for the Athenas in her collegiate debut, finishing with 11 points on a perfect 4-4 shooting from the floor, while also contributing a team-high four steals on the defensive end. 

The Athenas looked to be in good shape, leading by 10 points at the half (37-27), and building a lead of as many as 17 points in the third quarter. Lincoln was able to get back to within 10 points at the end of the third (56-46) and then outscored CMS 29-12 in the final 10 minutes to take the win. 

Arielle Hines led Lincoln with 22 points on 9-12 shooting, while Lindsey Claude added 21, shooting 15-16 from the foul line. CMS held a 46-35 rebounding advantage, with Kiara's 16 leading the way, and Mary Markaryan adding eight. 

CMS will be back in action when it travels to Trinity on Friday for the first of a two-game Texas trip. The Athenas will also play Hardin-Simmons next Saturday.