FLORENCE, AL -- It was a tale of two halves as the Lincoln Memorial University Women's Basketball team fell to host and former Gulf South Conference rival North Alabama 83-77 in the opening round of the Mariott Holiday Classic on Tuesday.

UNA (7-6) came out of the gate quickly to go up 8-0 but then the Lady Railsplitters answered with a 19-3 run to take the 19-11 lead with 11:29 to go in the half off a lay-up by Cena Nasiloski (Hammond, IN). The Lady Lions would cut the lead to one with 1:34 to go before halftime but a basket by Andi Winney (Yorktown, IN) and free throws by Whitney Vannoy (Harrogate, TN) gae LMU the 40-34 lead at halftime.

Much like the first half, UNA started out strongly and tied the game at 43-43 with 18:05 to go. After three lead changes and four ties UNA took the lead for good with 7:23 to go and held on for the 83-77 win.

Rebounding was key for UNA in this second half as they outrebounded LMU 20-9 in the second half. For the game the teams finished tied with 34 rebounds apiece.

LMU (5-5) was led by Stephanie Wagner (Elkhart, IN) with 16 points. Dayshalee Salaman (Carolina, Puerto Rico) added in 14 and Winney scored ten. Nasiloski led LMU on the boards with eight on the evening.

UNA had four starters scoring in double figures led by Amber Rutherford with 19 points and ten rebounds.

LMU will wrap-up action the the Mariott Classic when they face former GSC foe Alabama-Huntsville Tuesday afternoon.