The Lakeland women's basketball team traveled to Jamestown tonight to face the Jayhawks in non-league action. In a tight contest, the Lakers dropped a hard-fought 60-56 decision. In the 1st quarter, the Lakers jumped out to a 12-7 lead on the strength of a Jai'Lynne Hitt-Swartz 3-pointer and a pair of buckets each from Trinity Jackson and Monetta Hilory. From there, the Lakers shooting went cold and they finished the quarter trailing 20-15. The Jayhawks grew their lead early in the second quarter and maintained the lead before going into the break with a 37-27 advantage.

Early in the 3rd quarter, the Jayhawks took advantage of some early Laker shooting woes to build a 43-27 lead before Jai'Lynne Hitt-Swartz connected on a 3-pointer. After a Jayhawk free throw, Trinity Jackson connected on a layup. Following a Jayhawk turnover, Jackson scored an old-fashioned 3-point play by making a layup and then a free throw. After a Jayhawk miss, Monica Devine grabbed an offensive rebound and scored on a layup to bring the Lakers within 7 at 44-37 with less than a minute to play in the quarter. The Jayhawks would miss their next shot before Monetta Hilory recorded an offensive rebound and scored a layup at the buzzer to end the 3rd quarter with the Lakers trailing 44-39. In the 4th quarter, the Jayhawks would take advantage of Lakeland turnovers to grow their lead to 48-39 before Jai'Lynne Hitt-Swartz sank back-to-back 3-pointer to bring the Lakers within 3 points at 48-45 with 6:40 to play. Lakeland would then take advantage of misses on the Jayhawks next possessions as Trinity Jackson scored consecutive baskets to give the Lakers a 49-48 lead with 5:06 to play. From there, the Lakers would go cold again from the field and the Jayhawks would take advantage to close out the game.

The Lakers finished with 3 players scoring in double digits. Trinity Jackson led the Lakers with 21 points while Jai'Lynne Hitt-Swartz finished with 15 points on four 3-pointers. Monetta Hilory finished her night with 10 points while Monica Devine recorded 8 points. Nitzy Rios also scored a bucket in the Lakers loss.

Next Up: The Lakers will get back into OCCAC play when they travel to Owens Commuity College on Saturday (1/25) to face the Express. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm.