SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Lincoln women's basketball fell short Saturday against Illinois-Springfield, 80-69.
The Blue Tigers rallied to tie the game at 45 at the end of the third quarter and shot 51.6 percent from the floor after halftime but fell short of the comeback win. The loss is Lincoln's first of the season.
Zuri Hill has recorded a double-double every game this season, racking up 20 points, 13 rebounds and two assists Saturday. Hunter Yoakum scored a team-high 25 points and had four assists.
Lincoln was outrebounded 44-35 and shot just 5-of-23 from 3-point range. Springfield-Illinois turned in 16 points off second chances. Lincoln converted on nine second-chance opportunities.
The Blue Tigers trailed 38-23 at half, but held the Prairie Stars to just seven third-quarter points. Yoakum led the comeback effort in scoring 23 of her points in the second half.
Illinois-Springfield (3-1) went off in the fourth quarter, scoring 35 to Lincoln's 24.
The Prairie Stars' bench chipped in 24 points, compared to the Blue Tigers' 10.
Lincoln (3-1) plays at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Harris-Stowe State.
III
The Lincoln men also dropped thier first game of the season, a 93-81 result at Harris Stowe State University in St. Louis.
No stats were available.
Lincoln (3-1) plays at 7 p.m. Tuesday at McKendree.