The Spartan women started their conference schedule in an early-afternoon match-up with Iowa Lakes on Saturday, Jan. 13, at home. A slow offensive start put the Spartans down early, but a late surge kept the game close. The Spartans trailed the Lakers 20-17 at the close of the first quarter.

This isn't the first time this season Spartan Head Coach Addae Houston has been frustrated with the offensive play of his team.

"It has been a consistent trend for us on offense this year to shoot the ball poorly," Houston stated after the game. "On a positive note though, we're staying in games due to the fact we are keeping our effort strong on the defensive end."

Neither team could pull ahead with a significant advantage for most of the game, with tying scores in the second quarter (each team scored 14 points) and third quarter (each team scored 20 points). In the closing seconds of the third quarter, however, Lakers guard Marisela Perez heaved in a banked three-pointer that gave them the lead, 51-54, to enter the fourth quarter.

Houston thought his team had the momentum at the time, having taken the lead in the second quarter. But then, when the Spartans lost the lead after the Lakers converted on the buzzer shot, Houston felt the Lakers got the spark they needed for the fourth quarter. The game ended with the Lakers on top 74-65.

For the game, sophomore T'Keyah Stapleton led the Spartans in scoring with 16 points along with three assists and three steals. Freshman Jasmine Aviles had 15 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Keaundra Washington added 11 points.

The Spartans head to Fort Dodge on Wednesday, Jan. 17, to face Iowa Central in a 5:30 p.m. match-up.