Jefferson City, Mo. – The Bearcats won their fourth straight game, defeating Lincoln Wednesday evening 76-73. SBU improves to 10-17 (6-12 MIAA), putting them momentarily in the 10 spot in the MIAA standings.
 
It was Caylee Richardson starting things off, scoring off an assist from Morgan Henderson. Lincoln responded with a jumper, but Laura Vierkant hit a big three to go up 5-2. Two straight makes for Lincoln gave them their first lead of the game, but it wasn't lived long. Caylee Richardson hit a jumper, then Bailey Rezabek stole the ball away, leading to a Laura Vierkant three point play. The Blue Tigers battled back and took a 14-12 lead with 4:09 to go in the first. RayShee Smith then nailed a three, followed by a Megan Worthington jumper, helping give SBU a 3 point lead. Lincoln was able to get within 1 as the quarter ended, making two free throws with 4 seconds on the clock.
 
Bailey Rezabek got the second going, making a jumper after an unsuccessful Lincoln possession. The Blue Tigers regained the lead and pushed it to 3 before Laura Vierkant nailed a three to tie the game at 25-25. Lincoln responded with a three of their own, but a jumper and a three from Bailey Rezabek kept SBU in the game. With 4:30 left before halftime, Caylee Richardson made a similar run, hitting a three then following with a jumper to give SBU a 35-32 lead. Lincoln managed to make a layup with 29 seconds left in the half, cutting SBU's lead to 39-38 heading into halftime.
 
Regan Tibbits scored the first basket in the second half, stretching SBU's lead to 3. Lincoln responded with a quick bucket, but Laura Vierkant hit a three followed by a Morgan Henderson jumper to push the lead to 6. With 5:45 remaining in the quarter, Morgan Henderson made a jumper and was fouled, sending her to the free throw line. She completed the three point play, helping SBU to a 49-42 lead. With just under a minute to go in the third, Lincoln tied it up at 52-52. The Bearcats went on a 9-0 run to end the quarter, leading 61-52. The run began with a Morgan Henderson three pointer, and ended with a Madison Strong jumper as time expired.
 
The Blue Tigers cut SBU's lead to 5 a little over two minutes into the final quarter, but Morgan Henderson made two free throws to keep the Bearcats ahead by 7. Following a Lincoln layup, it was Henderson again scoring. With 2:34 reading on the clock, Lincoln got within 1, trailing just 69-70. The teams traded layups twice, making the score 74-73 in favor of SBU with 1:10 to go. With 8 seconds left, Lincoln made a shot that wouldn't go in, but they grabbed the rebound. As the Blue Tiger player was about to go up with the shot, Caylee Richardson got a hand on the ball, causing a jump ball and giving SBU possession with 5 seconds to go. Morgan Henderson was sent to the free throw line following a Lincoln foul, hitting both free throws to seal a 76-73 victory.
 
Two Bearcats posted 20 point games. Morgan Henderson went 7-11 from the field including 7-8 from the free throw line, giving her 22 points, 4 assists, 1 block, and 2 steals. Laura Vierkant also went 7-11 from the field and 3-6 from three. She scored 20 points and added 4 assists.
 
The Bearcats currently have the 10 seed in the MIAA standings, but Missouri Southern (11 seed) still has two games left.
 
SBU will wrap up their season against Lindenwood on Saturday, March 2 at 1:30 PM.