MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Ashlyn Alloway posted a double-double and two other members of the Lincoln women's basketball team scored in double figures as the Blue Tigers beat Arkansas-Monticello, 77-70, in the first game of 2023-24 for both programs on Friday night (Nov. 10).

Alloway finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, a block and a steal as the Blue Tigers shot .433 from the field and forced 17 turnovers. Lincoln scored 19 of its points off of those created turnovers and 16 more off of offensive rebounds while forcing the Blossoms to shoot .368 overall and .292 from three-point range.

Two players making their first appearances as Blue Tigers also reached double figures, as Hanne Nybo scored 15 points and Steph Torres added 11. Nybo additionally collected five rebounds and Torres had a team-high five assists as well as a steal. Saniya Simmons, meanwhile, contributed nine points, five boards, four assists and a team-leading four steals to the winning effort.

Back-to-back three-pointers by Torres and Biance Stocks opened the scoring for Lincoln, but there were three ties in the first quarter before Arkansas-Monticello connected on a three to take a 13-12 lead through 10 minutes of play. UAM led by eight entering the final 1:30 of the first half, but a jumper by Alloway followed by an old-fashioned three-point play by Torres sent the game into the break with the Blue Tigers trailing by only three, 37-34.

Lincoln out-scored Arkansas-Monticello in each of the final two quarters, with the Blue Tigers shooting .583 from the field in the third quarter as LU pulled to within 53-52. Lincoln dominated the final period defensively, allowing the Blossoms to shoot just .250 overall and .167 from long distance as LU pulled away for the win. Nybo scored the first five points of the final period, including making a layup that, combined with a pair of free throws by Imani Jones, gave the Blue Tigers the lead for good. 

Stocks ended the day with nine points, six rebounds and two assists while Jones and Tatiana Beaumont each chipped in seven points and grabbed four rebounds. Jones also dished two assists and recorded a steal. AJ Bradley, meanwhile, made a free throw and collected three rebounds.

The Blue Tigers will try to make it a 2-0 start to the season on Saturday (Nov. 11) when Lincoln plays Southern Arkansas at 7:00 p.m. CST.