ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Lincoln women's basketball team led for most of the contest, but Missouri Western hit a jumper with five seconds remaining to edge the Blue Tigers, 62-61, on Saturday (Dec. 8).

It was the first loss of the season for the Blue Tigers, who fell to 7-1 overall and 1-1 in MIAA play. Missouri Western improved to 4-5 on the season and 1-1 in MIAA play.

Zhanesha Dickerson led LU with her sixth double-double of the season, scoring 25 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, while Zoi Thompson added 16 points and five assists. Alecia Gulledge also finished in double figures, scoring 13 while contributing seven rebounds, a block and two steals.

Lincoln held Missouri Western scoreless for the final 8:30 of the first half, but scored just seven points in the period while holding the Griffons to four. It was the second time this season that LU held an opponent to just four points in a quarter. Lincoln led 23-19 at halftime, and 44-40 entering the fourth quarter.

A jumper by Dickerson gave LU a seven-point lead with 2:35 remaining, but a 10-1 run by the Griffons allowed MWSU to take the lead, 59-57, entering the final minute of play. Thompson hit a layup to tie the game up, and made another to put Lincoln up by two with 20 seconds remaining.

After MWSU went one-and-one at the line, the Griffons forced a Blue Tiger turnover, then made a jumper with five seconds to play to take the 62-61 lead. Dickerson had a look at a three at the buzzer, but the shot was no good and the Griffons secured the come-from-behind win.

Shannyn Triplett scored three points and Kiara Shoulders and Alecia Kaelke each finished with two points apiece. Shoulders additionally collected nine rebounds.

The Blue Tigers will be back at home next Saturday (Dec. 15) to host William Jewell at 5:00 p.m. CST.