Jennies Comeback Bid Falls Short

WARRENSBURG, Mo. - Central Missouri Jennies Basketball nearly overcame a 19-point deficit against Lincoln Saturday afternoon at the Multi. The Jennies got to within two on numerous occasions, but couldn't complete the comeback, falling 82-76. The loss evens the team's record at 5-5 in MIAA and puts them at 6-9 overall.
 
Four Jennies scored in double-figures, led by Shelby Winkelmann's 18 points. Ashley Duffy scored a career-high 16 points. Ashley Jones (14) and Tayler Weiks (13) were also in double-digits. Duffy, Jones and Winkelmann all shared the team lead with seven rebounds and Winkelmann dished out six assists. 
 
Lincoln came out red-hot from the field to start the game. They scored 28 points in the opening period. The Blue Tigers continued to pour it on in the second frame and took a 46-36 lead into the half. LU was 7-of-10 from three and shot 53.1% overall from the field.
 
The Jennies began to chip away at the LU lead late in the second period. After the Blue Tigers seventh three-pointer of the half put them up 19 with 3:20 to play, the Jennies scored the final nine points of the period, five coming from Cierra Gaines.
 
UCM went on another 9-0 run in the middle of the third. Trailing by 11, Central Missouri hit four layups and a free throw, getting to within two, 51-49.
 
Lincoln withstood the Jennies surge, and brought the lead back up to six after the third period.
 
In the final frame, UCM got back to within two with 4:29 remaining, only to see the Blue Tigers push the lead back to 10. 
 
Trailing by 10 with under 90 second remaining, the Jennies gave one final push. Duffy hit a jumper and Weiks a three after a UCM steal on the Blue Tigers inbounds and the was down to three. Another Jennies steal and a layup from Winkelmann made it a one possession game, 77-74. 
 
Lincoln went 1-of-2 at the free throw line, going back up four, and Winkelmann again brought the lead to two with a layup with 33 seconds remaining.
 
However time started to run out and Lincoln went 4-of-6 at the free throw line to put the game away, 82-76. The win is just the third for Lincoln in their all-time series with the Jennies in 54 games.
 
For the game, Lincoln hit 11-of-19 three point attempts, 57.9%. The Jennies shot 46.7% from the floor while the Blue Tigers were 45.8% overall.
 
UCM did most of their damage under the basket, scoring 58 of their 76 points in the paint. However, it was the Blue Tigers who were strong on the glass, holding a 48-30 rebounding edge, including 13-7 on the offensive end. 
 
Like the Jennies, LU also had four in double-figures. Hunter Yoakum scored a game-high 21 points and Zuri Hill was right behind her with 20. Hill finished a rebound shy of a double-double.
 
The Jennies are on the road next week. They travel to Northeastern State, Thursday, Jan. 21 and then are onto Edmond to take on Central Oklahoma Saturday, Jan. 23.