SAINT CHARLES, Mo. (Interstat) — A dominant fourth-quarter surge, fueled by a career-high scoring performance from Aleshia Jones and a parade to the free-throw line, propelled the Lindenwood Lions to a 66-55 victory over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in an Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Robert F. Hyland Performance Arena.

The game’s defining stretch arrived in the final period. After a defensive struggle in the third quarter left Lindenwood clinging to a 40-38 lead, the Lions erupted for 26 points in the fourth, outscoring Tennessee Tech by 11 to pull away decisively. The Lions, who shot a near-perfect 20 of 21 from the charity stripe for the game, sealed the win by making 14 of 15 free throws in the final quarter alone.

Jones, a 5-foot-7 guard from Leavenworth, Kansas, was the catalyst. She scored 15 of her game-high 32 points in the fourth quarter, including a critical personal 7-0 run that turned a two-possession game into a comfortable lead. After a Reagan Hurst three-pointer brought Tennessee Tech within 51-48 with just over three minutes to play, Jones answered with a three-pointer on the next possession, grabbed her own miss for another three, and then drew fouls on consecutive trips to sink four straight free throws. That sequence expanded a three-point lead to 60-51 with under a minute remaining, effectively extinguishing the Golden Eagles’ hopes.

The Lions improved to 14-6 overall, while Tennessee Tech fell to 10-7.

The contest was a tale of contrasting efficiencies. While both teams struggled from the field—Lindenwood shot 40% and Tennessee Tech 38.9%—the Lions maximized their possessions, committing only 10 turnovers and converting at an offensive rating of 106.5 points per 100 possessions. The Golden Eagles, hampered by 20 turnovers and 6-of-27 shooting from beyond the arc, managed an offensive rating of just 83.7.

Tennessee Tech’s effort was led by Reagan Hurst of Baxter, Tennessee, who scored 17 points, and LaReesha Cawthorn of Franklin, Kentucky, who added 11 points and a game-high seven offensive rebounds. Chloe Larry of Bossier City, Louisiana, contributed nine points and five assists.

Beyond Jones’ standout performance, Lindenwood received 16 points from local product Brooke Coffey of St. Charles, Missouri, and 10 points from Gracie Kelsey of Agency, Missouri. Ellie Brueggemann of Owasso, Oklahoma, facilitated the offense with eight assists.

The game began with Tennessee Tech establishing an early edge, leading 15-13 after one quarter and extending to a 26-20 advantage in the second. However, Lindenwood closed the first half on a 12-0 run, capped by a Jones three-pointer at the buzzer, to take a 32-26 lead into halftime. The Golden Eagles’ defense stiffened in a low-scoring third quarter, holding the Lions to just eight points to narrow the gap to two, setting the stage for the explosive final frame.

Lindenwood’s victory was its third in four games, while Tennessee Tech has now dropped three consecutive conference contests. The Lions’ proficiency at the free-throw line proved to be the ultimate difference, as they outscored the Golden Eagles by 13 points from the stripe.

The announced attendance was 654.

Lindenwood will host Tennessee State on Saturday, while Tennessee Tech travels to face SIU Edwardsville. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Cookeville, Tennessee, on Feb. 21.