JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A fourth quarter comeback bid by the Blue Tigers came up short as the Lincoln women's basketball team fell to Pittsburg State on Saturday (Jan. 23).

The Blue Tigers trailed by double digits for most of the game, with the Gorillas taking a 30-12 lead on a layup with just under five minutes to play in the first half. Dorian Briggs hit a quick three to cut the deficit down to 15, but PSU responded by going on a 6-1 run to take a 36-16 lead. Back-to-back shots from Hunter Yoakum and Jasmine Guthrie, followed by a pair of free throws by Asia McCaskill, cut the Pittsburg State lead down to 14, and the Blue Tigers ultimately went into the break down 38-24.

Briggs started the third quarter strong with a layup, and Lincoln was able to pull to within 55-44 of the Gorillas before the end of the quarter. The LU comeback bid really hit its stride in the fourth quarter, however, as a jumper by Zuri Hill began an 8-0 run that moved the Blue Tigers to within seven points of the Gorillas, 59-52, with 7:18 remaining. Four-straight free throws gave PSU back a double-digit advantage, but another trey from Briggs made it an eight-point game with six minutes to play.

Pittsburg State (15-4, 9-4 MIAA) halted Lincoln's rally with a trey of its own, and built a 17-point advantage with 2:32 to play. Lincoln (7-12, 3-10 MIAA) fought back to close the gap down to 13 points, but the Gorillas played staunch enough defense to hang on for the win. The Gorillas finished with a 35-27 edge in rebounding, though LU had a slight 12-13 advantage in the turnover battle.

Hill led Lincoln with 15 points and tied Guthrie for the team lead with five rebounds. Briggs and McCaskill each finished with 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal. Guthrie, meanwhile, scored four points and dished a pair of assists.

Yoakum finished with nine points while Azaria Nave and Sarah Neptune each scored three apiece. Nave dished a game-high five assists and grabbed two rebounds while Neptune dropped two dimes and grabbed four boards. Lizzie Nessling rounded out the scoring with a made free throw and pulled down four rebounds while recording three assists and a pair of steals.

Saturday was Lincoln's Coaches vs. Cancer Pink Out Game, with players, LU staff members, fans and even the referees showing their support for the fight against cancer by wearing pink apparel.

The Blue Tigers will begin a four-game road trip next Thursday (Jan. 28), as Lincoln travels to Edmond, Okla. to play Central Oklahoma at 5:30 p.m. CST.