JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln women's basketball team trailed by 11 late in the third quarter but rallied to cut the deficit to four before falling to Fort Hays State, 65-55, on Thursday evening (Jan. 25).

Lincoln (3-16, 0-11 MIAA) trailed by 10 at halftime, and were down 45-34 with just under a minute remaining in the third quarter before a layup by Citlali Lopez to end the period launched LU onto a 7-0 run. Fort Hays State (15-4, 6-4 MIAA) and Lincoln traded baskets a few times, and LU faced just a 47-43 deficit with 7:33 to play.

With 3:20 remaining, Bre Coleman hit a pair of free throws to pull Lincoln back within four, 53-49, but Fort Hays State answered with four-straight points to take control of the ballgame. LU came no close than six the rest of the way, as FHSU held on for the road win.

Coleman led Lincoln with 17 points and nine rebounds while Amber Braxton, who grabbed five boards, and Kailey Foster each chipped in seven points. Faith Brintle tallied eight points and a game-high eight assists to go with three boards and three steals, and Lopez ended her night with six points and a pair of takeaways.

Lincoln had another strong defensive performance, holding Fort Hays State to .355 shooting overall and .345 shooting from long range. LU also forced FHSU into 15 turnovers and, despite giving up 17 offensive rebounds, limited Fort Hays State to just six second-chance points.

Lajanea Kimbrough and Davenport Brantley each scored four, with Kimbrough recording a block, a steal, an assist and four rebounds. Alecia Kaelke, meanwhile, closed the scoring with two points, three boards and a pair of steals.

Lincoln will remain at home on Saturday (Jan. 27) to take on Nebraska Kearney at 1:30 p.m. CST.