LU’s Niyah Jackson drives against MSSU in Thursday night play at home. Feb. 2, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Haight/Clarion News)
By Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Niyah Jackson scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Lincoln women’s basketball team against Missouri Southern, the No. 24 team in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Division II poll, on Thursday night (Feb. 2). MSSU shot well in the second half, however, and claimed a 67-58 victory.
Jackson also secured six rebounds, dished three assists, notched two steals and blocked a shot as Lincoln (5-16, 3-11 MIAA) trailed just 35-31 against the nationally-ranked Lions entering halftime. There were 11 lead changes and the score was tied on nine occasions, but Missouri Southern (20-4, 12-4 MIAA) shot .538 from the field in the third quarter and .417 in the fourth to pull away for the win. Lincoln also shot the ball well for most of the night, connecting on a .538 clip in the second quarter while shooting .400 in the third, but MSSU held LU to just .250 shooting in the final period.
The Blue Tigers forced the Lions into 19 turnovers and ended the day with 10 steals, three of which came courtesy of Ashlyn Alloway, who also had eight points and a team-high eight boards. Saniya Simmons also scored eight and collected four rebounds to go with a steal and a game-high six assists.
Aliyah Bello added seven points, two boards and a steal, and Kelsey Mitchell finished with six points, a rebound and a takeaway. Mercy Gonzalez rounded out the scoring with five points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal. Ayreona Carter also had a takeaway for the Blue Tigers.
Lincoln remains at home to host Pittsburg State on Saturday (Feb. 4) at 1:00 p.m. CST. It will be LU’s annual Coaches vs. Cancer/Think Pink Game, and fans are invited to join the Blue Tigers in donning pink apparel as Lincoln promotes cancer research awareness.
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