Box Score

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Northeastern State women's basketball team fell to Lincoln University 54-49 Saturday afternoon on the MIAA Network at Jason Gym.
 
The RiverHawks (4-4, 1-1 MIAA) were led in scoring by sophomore guard Fontana Tate, who dropped a career-high 11 points. Senior guard Taylor Lewis added 10.
 
NSU shot 42 percent from the field (17-41), 35 percent from downtown (6-17) and 9 of 11 from the foul line (82 percent). The RiverHawks also outrebounded the Blue Tigers 36-24, but an uncharacteristic 25 turnovers doomed the road team.
 
The turnovers were the most committed by NSU since March 11, 2011, a span of 38 games. The team entered the contest leading the nation in fewest turnovers committed per game at just 12.0.
 
Arriana Walker led Lincoln (5-3, 1-1 MIAA) with 14 points, six assists, five rebounds, and five steals. Freddie Sims added 12 points for the home side.
 
LU shot 37 percent from the field (18-49), 36 percent from downtown (5-14) and 72 percent from the line (13-18).
 
Northeastern State took control early with a quick 7-2 lead, and the road team stretched the advantage to 12 at 22-10 with 9:22 to play in the first frame.
 
The Blue Tigers ramped up their defense the rest of the half and outscored the RiverHawks 8-0 in the final six minutes. NSU held a 26-23 lead at halftime.
 
When all was said and done, Lincoln used a 17-0 run to take a 32-26 advantage after scoring the first nine points of the second half.
 
NSU was able to battle back to a 35-35 tie at 12:21, but a 6-0 run from the Blue Tigers pushed the lead out to 42-35 with 8:12 remaining. The RiverHawks crawled back to within one at 50-49 with 1:45 to play, but LU scored the final four points of the contest.
 
The RiverHawks will return to action at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at Arkansas-Fort Smith.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH RANDY GIPSON
On Fontana Tate scoring a career high…
“She was alert and ready to shoot, and she knocked some shots down. That was a plus for us.”
 
On Lincoln's 17-0 run…
“We quit running offense for awhile. They really pressured us. They played harder and we didn't respond well. Turning the ball over was the biggest thing.”
 
On committing the most turnovers in 38 games…
“We just didn't protect the ball very well. They were pressuring and we didn't take care of the ball. Most of their 17 steals were of that type, just us not taking care of the ball. They pressured it away from us and we weren't strong with the ball.”
 
On winning the rebounding battle…
“That part was good. Today was like two games in the same game. We really defended and rebounded the way we wanted to for most of the first half, and then we lost rhythm on offense and everything else was hit and miss.”
 
On what the team will do before the Christmas break…
“We have final exams this week, so we're going to have to let them get focused on that. You just go back to work. Playing in a quality league like this is just a grind. It's a tough game every night out. When things don't go your way, you just have to go back to work.”
 
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