After jumping out to a 4-1 start, the Lincoln women's basketball team is looking to snap a two-game skid when it hosts Illinois-Springfield in a non-conference matchup at 3 p.m. today at Jason Gym.
Playing its second game of the season on its home floor, Lincoln (4-3) is also looking to capture win No. 5 - the same number of victories it had last year.
But that milestone doesn't mean all that much to the Blue Tigers.
"As far as win No. 5, I don't think that's in anybody's head as far as tying last year's record," Lincoln head coach Nicole Collier said during a phone interview late Friday. "It's really about feeling good and convincing ourselves we're a very capable team."
Lincoln suffered a 69-68 loss in the final seconds to Northeastern State on Dec. 4 to open up Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association play, before falling to Central Oklahoma 93-66 Dec. 7.
The loss to Northeastern State hurt even more for Lincoln after leading scorer Kelsey Williams suffered a back injury while attempting to draw a charge on the final play of the game.
According to Collier, Williams won't play today and will likely not return until the end of January.
The 5-foot-6 guard from Eminence was taken to the hospital following the game against Northeastern State and was on crutches until Wednesday.
Williams, a redshirt sophomore, also sat out all of last season with a back injury.
"I know in her mind, she's wanting to come back next week," Collier said. "We're just kind of playing it by ear."
Williams is averaging 12.8 points to go along with a team-leading 27 assists and nine steals through six games this season.
"We seemed to be rattled, as a team," Collier said. "I still think we have the capability of playing well and being a good basketball team. We just have to figure out how to play without her."
Williams isn't the only player that has put up solid numbers early in the season for the Blue Tigers. Dorian Briggs (12.7 ppg), Hunter Yoakum (11.4) and Kate Frazier (10.7) all average double figures, while Kayton Cole (7.1) and Jasmine Guthrie (7.0) are close behind to lead the offensive attack for Lincoln.
The Blue Tigers will likely need all the support they can get against the Prairie Stars.
Illinois-Springfield (4-3) is on a three-game winning streak after claiming a 104-17 victory Wednesday against Robert Morris-Peoria, an NAIA program.
The Prairie Stars average 67 points per game and have seven players that are averaging eight points or more and three that are in double figures. Caroline Kelty leads the team with 11.3 points, while Shelbi Patterson (11.0) and Courtney Knuckles (10.1) pace Illinois-Springfield on the offensive end.
"I think it really comes down to us right now," Collier said. "I think this is a great game for us coming off our trip to Oklahoma. I think it's a great opportunity for us to get us back on track."