MARYVILLE, Mo. - The Lincoln women's basketball team had the lead in the fourth quarter, but Northwest Missouri rallied to hand the Blue Tigers a 61-50 loss on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 22).

Laini Joseph led all scorers with 21 points and grabbed six rebounds, dished a pair of assists, notched two steals and blocked a shot. Aaliyah Smith, meanwhile, finished with a team-high 10 rebounds and chipped in seven points while recording a block and an assist.

Northwest Missouri (3-3) had a 10-point lead at halftime, but Lincoln (2-3) began its comeback in the third quarter, with a tip-in by Taelyn Smith and a jumper by Joseph pulling the Blue Tigers to within 35-29. Later in the third, Aaliyah Smith hit a jumper to bring LU within four, and a bucket by Joseph got the Blue Tigers to within 41-39 in the final minute. The Bearcats hit a three to send the contest into the fourth with NWMSU up 44-39.

Isis Sanders converted an old-fashioned three-point play at the beginning of the fourth period to get the Blue Tigers back within two. Joseph then hit a trey to give LU a 45-44 advantage with eight minutes remaining. The Bearcats rallied in a big way, scoring 12 unanswered points to take control of the ballgame. 

Bella Borgos provided eight points and a rebound while Hallie Williamson contributed seven points, six boards, three blocks and a steal. Taelyn Smith ended the afternoon with four rebounds, two points and a steal, as Lincoln forced Northwest Missouri into 15 turnovers. 

Sanders closed the scoring with five points, two takeaways, a pair of assists and a rebound. Kennedy Jones and Kaleah Toran rounded out the Blue Tigers, with each player tallying a steal, a rebound and an assist.

Lincoln will be back on the court in one week, as the Blue Tigers open GLVC play by hosting Southwest Baptist in Jefferson City, Mo. next Saturday (Nov. 29) at 1:00 p.m. CST.