MARYVILLE, Mo. - The Lincoln women's basketball team led for much of the first half, but Northwest Missouri rallied in the second half to beat the Blue Tigers, 72-48, on Saturday (Jan. 21).

The Blue Tigers shot .500 from the field in the first quarter en route to a 14-9 lead through the game's first 10 minutes. LU was even better in the second quarter, shooting .600 overall while making the only three-pointer it attempted. The Bearcats rallied to take a 24-22 advantage on a three-pointer with 3:32 until halftime, but Saniya Simmons hit the Lincoln trey to put the Blue Tigers back on top.

A free throw allowed Northwest Missouri (10-8, 5-7 MIAA) to tie the game, and NWMSU made a jumper with 22 seconds until the half. Lincoln (5-13, 3-9 MIAA) had an answer, as Niyah Jackson's layup in the closing seconds knotted the score 27. The Bearcats scored the first six points of the third quarter, however, and ultimately built a 12-point lead by the end of the period. Lincoln, which was rebounded 39-22 during the contest, was held to just .133 from the court during the final quarter as NWMSU hung on for the win.

Le'Yanna McGinnis had 19 points and six rebounds to lead the Blue Tigers while tallying a block and a steal. Simmons finished with eight points and two assists, Ashlyn Alloway added five points, three steals and two blocks to the Lincoln cause, and AJ Bradley had three points and three steals. Kelsey Mitchell dished an assist and collected two rebounds.

Jackson and Ayreona Carter each finished with four points and two rebounds, with Jackson dishing three assists. Aliyah Bello had a pair of assists to go with three points while Mercy Gonzalez had two points and two steals on the afternoon. Miriam Bazylewicz represented LU with an assist.

Lincoln closes a three-game road trip on Monday (Jan. 23) with a visit to Joplin, Mo. to play Missouri Southern at 5:30 p.m. CST.