MEMPHIS, Tenn. - In their first game of the new year, the Oglethorpe women's basketball team was held its ground until the last 15 minutes of the game. The Lynx of Rhodes pulled far ahead in the fourth quarter to set the final score at 71-61.

Senior Sydni Donovan led the team, scoring 19 of the 61 points, and made the first shot of the game. The first quarter was a strong one for the Petrels, who doubled Rhodes score (26-13) at the end of the quarter.

Oglethorpe maintained the lead and control of the game until only a minute remained in the second quarter when Rhodes tied the score at 33-33. The Lynx scored again in the last 30 seconds, setting Oglethorpe just a point behind as the game moved into the third quarter.

Oglethorpe fought hard to retake the lead, and they did briefly, thanks to Donovan and Amy Vazquez. But the Lynx were able to bring the score to a tie again, with the board reading 39-39 at 7:00. Rhodes then pulled ahead from the tie and went ahead 57-42 to begin the final quarter.

Despite a majority of the game going back and forth, the Lynx built up a seven point lead throughout the fourth quarter, and went on a 5-1 run in the final two minutes. Efforts from the Petrels were thwarted as Rhodes made three free throws in the last 20 seconds to cement the score at 71-61.

This loss puts the Petrels at 3-10 for the season so far. Their next game is at home in Dorough Field House on Friday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m. against Sewanee.