BOLIVAR, Mo. - The Lincoln women's basketball team led for most of the game, but a layup with 9.6 seconds remaining helped Southwest Baptist beat the Blue Tigers, 68-67, on Saturday (Jan. 19).

Lincoln (9-7, 1-6 MIAA) led 25-18 after the first quarter and had a six-point advantage at halftime, but Southwest Baptist (6-11, 2-6 MIAA) rallied to cut the deficit down to 50-49 through three periods. Back-to-back jumpers by Alecia Gulledge and Zhanesha Dickerson allowed Lincoln to extend its lead back up to five early in the fourth, and LU held a 61-54 advantage with 4:26 remaining.

The Blue Tigers led by as many as nine late in the quarter, but a layup followed by consecutive treys brought the Bearcats back within one, 67-66, with under a minute remaining. Lincoln lost control of the ball on its end, and SBU took the ball back up court, ultimately hitting what proved to be the game-winning shot. The Blue Tigers were unable to get off a shot in the final seconds.

Dickerson led Lincoln with 24 points and grabbed five rebounds while Bre Coleman posted a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 17 rebounds. Coleman also provided three steals, a pair of blocks and an assist.

Kaloni Pryear also finished in double figures, tallying 16 points, seven boards and a team-high three assists. Gulledge added six points, a block and eight boards, and Kiara Shoulders contributed two rebounds, four points and a steal. Zoi Thompson closed out LU with two points and four rebounds.

Lincoln will be back on its home court on Thursday (Jan. 24) to host Northeastern State at 5:30 p.m. CST.