TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Lincoln women's basketball team gave NCAA Division I opponent Indiana State all it could handle in an exhibition contest on Thursday night (Nov. 3). Four Blue Tigers scored in double figures as LU played hard all night in a game that the Sycamores won, 75-66.

A three-pointer by Niyah Jackson tied the game at 11 with three minutes to play in the opening quarter, and a late layup by Le'Yanna McGinnis helped the Blue Tigers end the period down just 16-13. McGinnis led all players with 16 points on the night and grabbed seven rebounds to go with an assist and a steal. Jackson scored 14, dished three assists, recorded two steals and ended the night with four rebounds.

Lincoln won the second quarter, out-scoring the Sycamores 14-13 to make it a two-point affair at halftime. LU tied the game early on buckets by McGinnis and Jackson, and rallied from a nine-point deficit over the final three minutes of the half thanks to a 9-2 run that started with a three-pointer by Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell finished the night with 10 points, as did AJ Bradley, who also provided a team-high four assists.

Indiana State scored 22 points in the third quarter to take a 51-40 lead into the final 10 minutes, but Lincoln did not stop battling. Mitchell drained a three with two minutes remaining to cut the Sycamore lead down to six, and Bradley made a free throw following a layup to make the score 71-66 with 41 seconds to play. Indiana State made four shots at the line to seal the game, but Lincoln ended the fourth quarter with a 26-24 advantage in scoring.

Ayreona Carter blocked a shot and chipped in five points, and Aysia Arrowood scored eight points while leading the Blue Tigers with three steals. Miriam Bazylewicz and Mercy Gonzalez each had a pair of takeaways, with Bazylewicz also providing three points and three boards. Saniya Simmons contributed four rebounds, two assists and a steal to the LU cause, as Lincoln forced the Sycamores into 28 turnovers on the evening.

Lincoln will open its 2022-23 season on Friday, Nov. 11 in Fayette, Iowa at the Central Region Challenge, as the Blue Tigers are set to face Arkansas Monticello at 5:30 p.m. CST.