JOPLIN, Mo. - Missouri Southern out-scored the Lincoln women's basketball team by 11 points in the third quarter en route to an 11-point, 86-75 victory over the Blue Tigers on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 14).

The first half of the game went back and forth, and the contest ultimately featured eight lead changes and five ties. The Blue Tigers ended the first quarter with the score tied at 19, and held a 33-31 lead halfway through the second quarter. Missouri Southern (10-7, 5-3 MIAA) ended the half on a 13-4 run, however, to take a 44-37 advantage into the break.

Lincoln (2-13, 1-7 MIAA) pulled within four on a jumper by Azaria Nave two minutes into the third period, but the Lions controlled the rest of the quarter, finishing with a 26-15 advantage in total points over those 10 minutes. The Blue Tigers scored 23 points in the fourth quarter, but Missouri Southern was able to maintain a double-digit lead to fend off an LU comeback.

Nave led the Blue Tigers with 24 points and grabbed five rebounds. Asia McCaskill also had five boards to go with 12 points while Hunter Yoakum totaled 15 points, four boards, four assists and a pair of steals. Citlali Lopez recorded a team-high five takeaways and chipped in four points.

Khadijah Ellison led LU with seven rebounds and scored nine points while dishing a team-high five assists. Tyler Brown-Henderson provided four points and a pair of rebounds while Erica Gibbons tallied five points, four rebounds and a block. Tempary Gunter closed the scoring with two points and two boards. Kailey Foster also pulled down a rebound.

The Blue Tigers will be back on their home court on Wednesday (Jan. 18) to host Central Missouri in Lincoln's Blue & White Out Game. Tip-off for that contest is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CST.