JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln women's basketball team exploded for 32 points in the first quarter and rolled to a 90-67 victory over Arkansas-Monticello in the final game of the Central Region Challenge, hosted by the Blue Tigers on Saturday (Nov. 13).

Le'Yanna, who led the Blue Tigers with 20 points, scored the first basket of the game, and Haylie Holloway and Imani Jones hit layups to give Lincoln (1-1) an early 6-0 lead in the game. The Blue Tigers never trailed, as a fast break layup by Niyah Jackson gave Lincoln a 24-7 advantage with 3:33 remaining in the opening stanza. Niyah Jackson finished with seven points, Jones scored nine to go with seven boards and two assists, and Holloway provided six points, three rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Kylie Bernskoetter hit two big treys during Lincoln's game-opening run, and ended the day with 11 points and two steals. Kelsey Mitchell also connected on two shots from long distance, finishing the day with 12 points, while Hya Haywood scored eight points to go with three steals, two assists and three rebounds. The Blue Tigers out-scored Arkansas-Monticello (0-2) 32-14 in the first quarter, shooting .647 from the field and .500 from long range.

Lincoln kept up the high scoring pace in the second quarter, taking a 58-34 lead into halftime. LU's played tenacious defense, forcing UAM into 24 turnovers while recording 16 steals. The Blue Tigers posted a 17-9 advantage on the offensive glass, leading to 15 second-chance points, and Lincoln finished the game with 25 points scored off UAM turnovers. Two of those steals were courtesy of Ashtin Ingram, who also blocked a shot, secured five rebounds and chipped in five points.

Ayreona Carter added seven points to the winning effort, AJ Bradley made a trey and Bailey Lewis hit a layup to close the scoring for the Blue Tigers. Deija Jackson, meanwhile, had an assist and a rebound, and Mercy Gonzalez dished two assists, pulled down two rebounds and notched a steal.

Lincoln will be back in Jason Gym on Tuesday (Nov. 16) to play Blackburn in a 5:30 p.m. CST contest.