JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln women's basketball team had the lead late in the third quarter, but Central Oklahoma pulled away in the fourth for a 72-57 win over the Blue Tigers on Saturday (Jan. 15).

Aliyah Bello and Niyah Jackson each scored 14 points while Kelsey Mitchell had 13. Bello grabbed seven rebounds and matched Mitchell with two steals. Jackson dished three assists.

Bello made a layup in the final seconds of the first half to send the game into the break tied at 27. Bello then opened the second half with a three-pointer, and LU led for most of the period, including going ahead 42-35 on a jumper by Bailey Lewis with 5:33 left in the quarter. In the final two minutes, however, UCO went on a 7-0 run to take a 47-45 lead into the fourth quarter.

The final 10 minutes belonged to Central Oklahoma (11-6, 7-4 MIAA), as the Bronchos opened the period on a 10-2 run. Lincoln (5-11, 1-9 MIAA) finished with a 42-41 edge on rebounds, and forced UCO into 18 turnovers, but the biggest difference came at the line, as Central Oklahoma made 19 free throws compared to 10 for the Blue Tigers.

Imani Jones pulled down 10 rebounds and tallied four steals, and Ayreona Carter had six points, five boards, a pair of blocks and two steals on the afternoon. Kylie Bernskoetter added four points and two assists, and Mercy Gonzalez ended the day with eight boards, four points and three assists. 

Lincoln will be on the road for its next four games, starting on Thursday (Jan. 20) with a 5:30 p.m. CST game in Claremore, Okla. against Rogers State.