Complete Game Notes
Game #6: Newman (3-2, 0-0 MIAA) at Lincoln (1-4, 0-1 MIAA)
Date: Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022
Time: 5:30 p.m. CST
Site: Jefferson City, Mo.
Live Stats: https://lubluetigers.com/sidearmstats/wbball/
Live Video: http://www.themiaanetwork.com/LUBlueTigers

Game #7: Central Oklahoma (3-1, 0-0 MIAA) at Lincoln
Date: Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m. CST
Site: Jefferson City, Mo.
Live Stats: https://lubluetigers.com/sidearmstats/wbball/
Live Video: http://www.themiaanetwork.com/LUBlueTigers

THE TIP OFF:  For the first time in 2022-23, the Lincoln women's basketball team will play in front of its home fans, as the Blue Tigers host a pair of MIAA games this week. Lincoln, which played its first two contests at a neutral site before playing three-consecutive road games, will open its home slate on Thursday (Dec. 1) by hosting Newman at 5:30p.m. CST. On Saturday (Dec. 3), Lincoln will play Central Oklahoma in Jason Gym, with tip-off set for 1:00 p.m. CST. The Blue Tigers enter the week with a 1-4 overall record and an 0-1 mark in MIAA play after falling at Pittsburg State, 78-54, on Monday (Nov. 28). Newman, which is 3-2, and Central Oklahoma, which is 3-1, will open MIAA play this week.

FAST BREAKS
- Thursday marks the 13th meeting between Lincoln and Newman, with the Jets leading the series, 7-5.

- The Blue Tigers beat Newman, 51-50, in Jefferson City on Jan. 13, 2022, but the Jets won the rematch in Wichita, Kan., 78-64, on Feb. 24.

- Lincoln and Central Oklahoma will meet for the 14th time on Saturday, with UCO leading the series, 11-2. LU last beat the Bronchos in 1994-95.

- Thursday's home game is LU's sixth contest of the year, marking the first season since the 1984-85 campaign that Lincoln's home opener is its sixth game or later.

PREVIEWING THE BLUE TIGERS:  Lincoln is led by Le'Yanna McGinnis, who is averaging 20.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest. Also tallying double digits is Kelsey Mitchell, who is shooting .413 from the floor while averaging 10.2 points. Saniya Simmons (3.6 assists per game) and Niyah Jackson (3.0 apg.) are leading Lincoln in assists, and Ayreona Carter averages 7.0 points.

HEAD COACH ANDREA MIZE:  Andrea Mize is in her third year as the head coach at Lincoln after a successful two-year run at Central Florida College. In 2019-20, Mize led CFC to a 19-win year that included a victory in the first round of the FCSAA playoffs. Mize previously was an assistant at Martin Methodist, helping the program reach the NAIA national tournament three times.

LAST TIME OUT
Lynn 65, Lincoln 42
In Lincoln's first ever game in the state of Florida, the Blue Tigers fell to Lynn, 65-42, on Monday, Nov. 21. The Fighting Knights pulled away in the third quarter, out-scoring LU, 24-14, and held the Blue Tigers to .133 shooting from three-point land. Le'Yanna McGinnis led Lincoln with 10 points and six rebounds.

Florida Southern 83, Lincoln 69
Lincoln led at the end of the first quarter and the game was tied at halftime, but the Mocs used a big third quarter to turn the tide and win, 83-69, on Tuesday, Nov. 22 in Lakeland, Fla. Three Lincoln players scored in double figures, including Kelsey Mitchell (12 points), Le'Yanna McGinnis (18) and Aysia Arrowood (11). Mercy Gonzalez added nine points and seven rebounds.

Pittsburg State 78, Lincoln 54
The Blue Tigers trailed by just two at halftime, but Pittsburg State ended up winning the first MIAA game of the year for both teams, 78-54, on Monday (Nov. 28). Le'Yanna McGinnis poured in 28 points and collected six rebounds while blocking three shots.

SCOUTING THE JETS:  Britney Ho has started the year strong, averaging 19.2 points and 6.2 boards, both team-highs. Carissa Beck averages 12.8 points while Lauryn Dubbert is next with 11.2 points per game. Maddie Spagnola, who is averaging 7.4 points, leads Newman in assists with 4.4 per night.

NU HEAD COACH DREW JOHNSON:  In his second season coaching the Jets, Johnson has a 6-25 record at Newman. Johnson came to NU after a four-year run at Bethel, where Johnson coached nine all-conference players and three All-Americans while winning more than 60 games. A former high school coach, Johnson was a football player in college, earning all-league honors as a punter.

SCOUTING THE BRONCHOS:  UCO has four players averaging double digit points, including Aliyah Llanusa, who leads Central Oklahoma with 6.5 rebounds while scoring 11.3 points. The top scorer is Brooke Rayner with 17.5 ppg., and Alayzha Knapp is next with 15.8 ppg., followed by Karly Wadsworth with 11.0 points per night. UCO averages 78.3 points while allowing 74.5.

UCO HEAD COACH EMMA ANDREWS:  A native of Australia, Andrews is in her first season at Central Oklahoma following a successful six-year run at Cameron. Andrews led Cameron to five Lone Star Conference tournament appearances as well as a trip to the NCAA Division II tourney in 2020-21. Prior to leading Cameron, Andrews was an assistant at her alma mater, Fresno State.

HOME FOR DECEMBER:  After opening the 2022-23 slate with five games at neutral courts or on the road, Lincoln will finally get to enjoy some home cooking in December. The Blue Tigers will play five of their six games in that month in Jason Gym, beginning with a three-game homestand on Dec. 1. Lincoln also closes the month with home games against both Stephens and Nebraska Kearney.

BRILLIANT McGINNIS:  Le'Yanna McGinnis has been on fire through the first five games of 2022-23, averaging 20.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting .618 from the floor. McGinnis' scoring average leads the MIAA and is the 25th-best in NCAA Division II, while her shooting percentage ranks second in the MIAA and is the 14th-best in Division II. McGinnis has made 42 field goals, ranking her 21st in the nation.

...IN THE MIAA:  Le'Yanna McGinnis is near the top of the MIAA ratings in multiple categories, including field goals made, where she is second in the conference. She is also sixth in blocks per game (1.0), eighth in the league in total blocks (five) and ninth in offensive rebounding with 2.6 boards per contest. Her total rebounding average of 6.0 is the 14th-highest in the MIAA.

OTHER MIAA LEADERS:  Among the other Blue Tigers ranked high in the MIAA in statistical categories is Kelsey Mitchell, who is fifth in the league in three-pointers made per game (2.4) and eighth in three-point percentage (.387). Saniya Simmons is 10th in the league in assists (3.6), steals (2.0) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.6).

GET YOUR TICKETS:  Lincoln is partnering with Hometown Ticketing once again to sell tickets to all of LU's basketball games online in 2022-23. For more information, visit www.LUBlueTigers.com/Tickets.

JOIN THE CLUB:  The Blue Tiger Athletics Club is a great way to engage with other LU fans while supporting Lincoln student-athletes. Every dollar raised by the club goes towards scholarships, improving facilities and purchasing equipment. To join the BTAC, or to learn more, please visit www.LUBlueTigers.com/BTAC.

WATCH LIVE:  Fans who are unable to attend a game in person will still be able to cheer on the Blue Tigers to victory via The MIAA Network. All 13 Lincoln home games will be broadcast through a multi-camera system and can be seen at www.TheMIAANetwork.com/LUBlueTigers.

GEAR UP FOR THE GAME:  Lincoln fans can get everything they need for the game at www.BlueTigersStore.com, the official online store for LU athletics. Everything from jerseys to office supplies can be found on the site, with a portion of all sales going to benefit Lincoln athletics.

NEXT UP:  The Blue Tigers remain at home to play William Jewell next Wednesday (Dec. 7) at 5:30 p.m. CST.