WARRENSBURG, Mo. - Central Missouri shot .537 from the field to hand the Lincoln a women's basketball team a 71-46 loss on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 5) in the MIAA opener for both programs.

Le'Yanna McGinnis led the Blue Tigers with 15 points and six rebounds, and had an assist and a steal as LU forced 13 turnovers on the afternoon. Niyah Jackson was next with six points to go with two points and a pair of rebounds.

Lincoln (4-3, 0-1 MIAA) fell behind, 22-16, at the end of the first quarter, but the second period made the biggest difference in the game. Lincoln held Central Missouri (5-3, 1-0 MIAA) to just 15 points, but scored just four as the Blue Tigers entered halftime down 37-20. Lincoln scored 13 in both the third and fourth quarters, and held UCM to just four successful three-pointers on the afternoon. The Blue Tigers shot .909 at the free throw line, but just .340 for the game.

Ayreona Carter and Hya Haywood each had four points and two assists, with Carter also collecting a pair of rebounds. Mercy Gonzalez also chipped in four points, AJ Bradley dished two assists to go with three points and three rebounds, and Ashtin Ingram finished with three points and three boards. Imani Jones finished with two points and two rebounds.

Kelsey Mitchell provided three points, three boards and a pair of assists to the Lincoln cause, and Aliyah Bello closed the scoring with two points. Haylie Holloway represented LU with a steal and a rebound.

Lincoln returns home on Thursday (Dec. 9) to host Missouri Western at 5:30 p.m. CST.