ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Lincoln women's basketball team played the No. 25 team in the nation tough for three quarters, but Missouri Western pulled away in the fourth to beat the Blue Tigers, 84-53, on Saturday (Jan. 29).

Niyah Jackson led LU with 14 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Kelsey Mitchell provided 13 points, three boards and a steal. Kylie Bernskoetter, Deija Jackson and Mercy Gonzalez each dished two assists, with Bernskoetter scoring eight points and registering a pair of steals.

Lincoln (5-15, 1-13 MIAA) hit a jumper at the end of the first quarter to pull within 19-16 of the Griffons, who were ranked No. 25 in this week's Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Division II poll. A trey by Mitchell later allowed LU to get within two of Missouri Western (16-3, 10-3 MIAA) with 2:18 until halftime. MWSU ended the period on an 8-0 run to go into the break ahead 41-31.

The Blue Tigers won the third quarter, edging Missouri Western on the scoreboard, 16-15. The fourth quarter was a different story, however, as Missouri Western went on a 28-6 run to pull away for the win. LU held MWSU to just .231 shooting beyond the arc, and forced the Griffons into 15 turnovers. For the game, however, Missouri Western shot .525 from the field.

Aliyah Bello ended the day with nine points and two boards, Haylie Holloway chipped in seven points to go with a pair of rebounds, and Imani Jones closed the scoring with two points and two boards. Ayreona Carter provided an assist and two rebounds.

After being on the road for the past four games, Lincoln will return to Jason Gym on Thursday (Feb. 3) to host Missouri Southern at 5:30 p.m. CST.