EMPORIA, Kan. - The Lincoln women's basketball team shot .435 from the field and forced 21 turnovers, but the Blue Tigers fell to former MIAA rival Emporia State, 74-64, on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 14).

Three Blue Tigers scored in double figures, led by Laini Joseph with 14 points, three boards, two assists and a steal. Taelyn Smith led LU with five rebounds and provided 13 points and a block while Isis Sanders ended the day with 12 points, four boards, three assists and a steal.

The first quarter went back and forth, with LIncoln (4-6) taking its second lead of the day on a jumper by Joseph that made it a 13-11 game with 4:20 remaining in the period. Emporia State (6-3) tied the game, but Taelyn Smith quickly swung the advantage back to the Blue Tigers with a layup. After the two teams traded made free three throws, the Lady Hornets drained a three to finish the quarter with an 18-17 advantage.

Emporia State outscored Lincoln 20-13 in the second quarter and led by as many as 19 in the second half. The Blue Tigers fought back to pull within eight twice in the fourth quarter, but ESU, which shot .411 from the floor and .750 at the free throw line, held off Lincoln's comeback bid.

Bella Borgos had nine points for the Blue Tigers as well as three rebounds while Kaleah Toran contributed six points, three boards, an assist and a steal. Hallie Williamson totaled five points, four rebounds, two assists and a block. Kennedy Jones, meanwhile, had three points, one rebound and an assist.

Kiara Cabrera closed the scoring with two points, a steal and three rebounds. Aaliyah Smith rounded out Lincoln with a steal, a rebound and an assist.

Lincoln closes the 2025 portion of its schedule at home on Thursday (Dec. 18) when the Blue Tigers host Missouri Western at 5:00 p.m. CST.