LEBANON, Tenn.- On Saturday evening, the Blue Raiders took on the Fire of Southeastern University (Fla.) falling 56-52 on the second day of the Rosa Stokes Classic.

Jarie Thomas led the Lindsey Wilson offense with 13 points and seven rebounds connecting on 6-of-11 from the field. Natalie Gentry was the other Blue Raider in double figures with 10 points and four assists. Claire Fleming contributed eight points, seven boards, and four assists, Taylor Guess added eight points and four assists, as well as Grace Brewer who tacked on eight points and 10 rebounds. 

During the first ten minutes of action offensive woes weighed the Blue Raiders down, only putting up 10 points. Guess knocked down a free-throw to put LWC on the board at 7:31 sparking a 5-0 run that lasted 2:25 seconds. Gentry picked up an assist after connecting with Fleming on a three-pointer at 1:48 to cut the Southeastern lead 11-10 headed into the second quarter. 

With 9:02 to play in the second, the Blue Raiders struck first on a jumper made by Guess to give Lindsey Wilson its first lead of the game 12-11. Thomas was able to capitalize on a layup less than a minute later on a pass from Guess to increase the lead 14-11. Turnovers plagued LWC, acquiring eight in the second quarter alone. Going into halftime, the Blue Raiders trailed 24-20. 

Lindsey Wilson continued to struggle from the field to start the second half only connecting on 4-of-12 and turning the ball over six times. At 3:33 Fleming drained a three assisted by Gentry to help stop the bleeding. With 0:54 to play in the third, Guess converted on a jump shot that put the Blue Raiders back within eight headed into the fourth down 42-34. 

The Blue Raiders put up a hard fought battle in the final 10 minutes of play fighting for rebounds on the offensive and defensive end. With 8:46 to play, Thomas picked up an offensive board and put back followed by a Grace Brewer pull-up that was good for two, cutting the SEU lead to 44-38. At 2:03, Guess found Brewer in the short corner where she connected on the basket. 

Lindsey Wilson forced a Southeastern turnover with 1:53 to play which allowed Thomas to capitalize on a layup that was assisted by Guess putting the Blue Raiders within two, 49-47. Guess connected with Brewer again with 1:06 to play to put LWC within one, 50-49. With 54 seconds left,  SEU's Anaya Coleman was able to connect on a layup extending the lead to 52-49, but was quickly answered by Brewer on an assist by Gentry to cut the lead back to 52-51 with 26 seconds remaining. LWC trailed 52-51 when a jump ball was called on what would have been a defensive rebound for Thomas with 13 seconds left, giving the ball back to the Fire. Southeastern closed the game going 4-of-4 from the charity stripe as they took the 56-52 victory.

The Blue Raiders will be back in action at 4 pm CT on Monday at Biggers Sports Center to take on Campbellsville University-Harrodsburg in an exhibition.