LIBERTY, Mo. - The Lincoln women's basketball team received big contributions from its bench on Saturday (Nov. 20), as LU's reserves combined for 36 points to power the Blue Tigers to a 65-50 victory over William Jewell. The victory, which improved LU to 3-2 on the season, was Lincoln's first road win of 2021-22, and its first victory away from home since Dec. 18, 2018.

Ayreona Carter led the bench with 12 points and five rebounds, while Hya Haywood dished six assists, scored nine points and secured five rebounds. Niyah Jackson and AJ Bradley each provided six points and an assist, with Jackson also collecting three boards, and Aliyah Bello had three points and three rebounds in her season debut.

William Jewell (0-4) led after the first quarter, 13-9, and held an 18-14 advantage with 4:11 until halftime. Carter scored Lincoln's next three points, and Le'Yanna McGinnis gave the Blue Tigers the lead on a jumper following a steal by Haywood. WJC answered with a jumper to go back up by one, but a three-pointer from Bradley, followed by a Haywood layup, swung the advantage back over the LU. The Blue Tigers entered halftime with the lead, 24-23.

Lincoln's momentum only increased in the third quarter, as the Blue Tigers opened the second half on an 8-4 run. Later in the period, Carter scored four-straight points to give LU a 42-36 advantage heading into the final quarter. The Blue Tigers proceeded to out-score the Cardinals, 14-2, during the first five minutes of the fourth to give Lincoln command of the ballgame.

McGinnis scored a team-high 18 points and blocked two shots, registered two steals and collected four rebounds. Imani Jones also had a block to go with eight points, a pair of rebounds, a steal and an assist. Kylie Bernskoetter rounded out the scoring for Lincoln's starters with three points and four boards. Kelsey Mitchell pulled down four rebounds and Haylie Holloway contributed an assist and a steal to the winning cause.

Mercy Gonzalez tied for the team-lead with five rebounds and also recorded a steal. Bailey Lewis, meanwhile, dished an assist.

Lincoln next heads to Fulton, Mo. on Tuesday (Nov. 23) to play Westminster at 5:30 p.m. CST.