JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Four Blue Tigers scored in double figures and LU forced 17 turnovers as the Lincoln women's basketball team claimed a 66-62 victory over Northeastern State on Saturday (Jan. 7).

The Blue Tigers led for most of the afternoon, taking a 15-12 lead at the end of the first quarter and holding a 34-27 advantage at halftime. Northeastern State (6-8, 2-4 MIAA) clawed back into the game in the third quarter, as the RiverHawks made five shots from three-point range en route to out-scoring Lincoln (2-11, 1-5 MIAA), 25-15, in the third period.

With NSU up 52-49 entering the final quarter, Azaria Nave hit a trey to tie up the game, but Northeastern State took a 60-56 lead with six minutes remaining. The RiverHawks would only score four points the rest of the way, however, as a layup by Khadijah Ellison keyed the Blue Tigers onto a 7-0 run that gave LU the lead for good. Citlali Lopez, who finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, and three steals, made a critical free throw at the end of the game to seal Lincoln's first league win of the season.

Ellison and Nave each scored 11 points, with Ellison adding three rebounds, while Hunter Yoakum led the Blue Tigers with 13 points and seven assists. Yoakum also grabbed four rebounds. Asia McCaskill, meanwhile, chipped in nine points and pulled down seven rebounds. As a team, Lincoln finished with a 37-36 advantage on the glass.

Tyler Brown-Henderson also had seven boards and scored six points to go with a steal. Erica Gibbons recorded four points, an assist and a steal while Shamirah Johnson closed the scoring with two points and two boards. Tempary Gunter provided three rebounds for the winning cause.

Lincoln will be on the road for its next two games, starting on Thursday (Jan. 12) with a trip to Pittsburg, Kan. to play Pittsburg State. Tip-off for that contest is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CST.