JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A strong defensive performance helped Nebraska Kearney outlast the Lincoln women's basketball game in the final contest of the calendar year for both programs on Saturday (Dec. 31). UNK held LU to .288 shooting for the game as the Blue Tigers fell, 72-37.

Le'Yanna McGinnis led the Blue Tigers with nine points and six rebounds while Niyah Jackson and Mercy Gonzalez finished with eight points apiece. Jackson had three rebounds as well as a team-high three assists while Gonzalez provided an assist and a steal.

Nebraska Kearney (13-2, 6-1 MIAA) shot .451 from the field, though Lincoln (2-9, 0-5 MIAA) held the Lopers to just seven successful three-pointers in 19 attempts. The Blue Tigers forced UNK into 11 turnovers, but scored just six points off takeaways. The Lopers also won the rebounding battle, 38-30.

Ashlyn Alloway recorded seven points, five rebounds and two steals while Kelsey Mitchell finished with a rebound, an assist and a steal. Miriam Bazylewicz added two points, five boards, an assist, a steal and a block while Saniya Simmons had a steal and an assist to go with three points and two rebounds.

AJ Bradley also had a pair of steals and secured a rebound while Aliyah Bello rounded out LU with two rebounds.

Lincoln will open 2023 on Monday (Jan. 2) by hosting Fort Hays State at 1:00 p.m. CST.