JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A dominant final eight minutes by Lincoln turned the tide on the Missouri Western women’s basketball team as the Griffons suffered their 17th-straight road loss, 76-72 in Jefferson City Thursday night.

The Griffons led by 13 with 8:51 to go but Lincoln grabbed the lead with 1:47 left on the heels of a 21-5 run. During that run, Miliakere Koyamainavure, Sarafina Handy and LaQuinta Jefferson all fouled out for the Griffons with 10, 17 and 18 points respectively. Despite the run, and missing three of their top scorers, the Griffons had a chance to take the lead with three seconds remaining but Anna Rogers missed a three-point attempt and Kelsey Williams made two free throws to cap-off the comeback.

It was the team’s first loss of the season when at least three players scored 10 or more points. On top of double-digit nights from Jefferson, Koyamainavure and Handy, Ariana Novak scored 11 points. Jefferson led the Griffons on the glass with eight rebounds. Missouri Western had 19 turnovers, 14 in the second half, to 12 assists and forced 15 Lincoln turnovers. The Griffons stayed close on the glass, finishing with 30 rebounds to 31 for the Blue Tigers. MWSU finished shooting 49 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range and 70.6 percent at the free throw line.

The loss dropped MWSU to 8-9 on the year, 3-8 in MIAA play.  Missouri Western will have another chance to break the road losing streak Saturday when they travel to St. Charles to take on Lindenwood.

— MWSU Sports Information —