CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Lincoln women's basketball team had a chance to send the game in the overtime, but a missed three-pointer helped Rogers State escape with a 67-64 win over the Blue Tigers in the final game of 2022-23 for both programs on Saturday (Feb. 25).

Aliyah Bello opened the fourth quarter by hitting a trey that put LU ahead, 50-49, but the Hillcats later broke a 51-51 tie with a three-pointer that began an 11-1 run. Niyah Jackson scored the game's next six points, with two baskets coming off of steals. A layup briefly broke the Blue Tiger run, but Jackson made a free throw to narrow the gap down to 64-59.

Rogers State (5-23, 3-19 MIAA) answered with a free throw of its own to go back up by six, and RSU later held a 67-61 lead with 28 seconds to play. After the Blue Tigers missed a shot, Saniya Simmons stole the ball from the Hillcats and fed it to Jackson, who drained a three to pull LU within 67-64. The Hillcats took over possession, but Jackson created yet another turnover, giving the Blue Tigers a shot at forcing overtime. Her three-point try was no good, but Ashlyn Alloway came up with the offensive rebound. Time ran out, however, before LU had a chance for another shot attempt.

Jackson had a big day for Lincoln (7-21, 5-17 MIAA), as she finished with 23 points, four steals, three assists and a pair of rebounds. Alloway pulled down 16 rebounds and chipped in nine points to go with an assist and three takeaways. Simmons scored seven points while AJ Bradley finished with three points, three boards, an assist and two steals. Lincoln had 12 steals on the day and forced Rogers State into 18 turnovers.

Kelsey Mitchell provided eight points and dished an assist, while Bello scored seven and grabbed four rebounds to go with two steals and an assist. Miriam Bazylewicz rounded out Lincoln with seven points, four boards, two dimes and a steal.