RIO GRANDE, Ohio -- Anytime a team receiving votes just outside of the national rankings and takes on a national top-10 opponent, one usually would expect a great affair to take place.

Throughout the entirety of the 40-minute affair, the (RV) Shawnee State women's basketball program not only delivered with an excellent effort but was the better team throughout the opening half -- as the Bears took a nine-point halftime lead (41-32) over No. 7 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) before falling to the Warriors in a tight 71-70 affair Friday afternoon as part of the Bevo Francis Classic in Rio Grande.

Shawnee State, who battled Lewis-Clark State to a 21-all tie after the opening quarter, blitzed the Warriors by outscoring No. 7 LC State 20-11 in the second quarter -- as the Bears' defense was terrific in the quarter, forcing six Lewis-Clark State turnovers and holding the Warriors to a 28.6 percent shooting clip (4-of-14) from the floor in the second 10-minute stanza.

Miyoshi Ellis and Jonilyah Chambers, who were able to get out in transition throughout the second quarter of play off of turnovers, combined for 16 points by themselves in the second quarter as the pair went 7-of-11 from the field together in the frame.

The duo's efforts were assisted by Emily Maynard, who was terrific herself in the opening quarter by going 3-for-3 from three-point range for a nine-point opening frame, followed by a second quarter where the junior forced two steals defensively as well -- and Lauren Hawthorne, who, in her return from injury, enjoyed a strong performance off of the bench by notching 11 rebounds and 10 points in 29 minutes of game action.

Up by a nine-point margin at the half, Shawnee State did struggle in the second half -- as the Bears were held to 10-of-34 shooting in the second half. Lewis-Clark State rallied by outscoring Shawnee State 22-9 in the third quarter and led over the final 13:46 of the contest to claim the win.

For the contest, Ellis led the Bears with 16 points, three assists and three steals while Chambers added in 15 points and two steals. Maynard, who went 4-of-8 from three-point range, contributed 12 points while Hawthorne and TK Catchings combined for 18 points and 18 rebounds while going 8-of-14 from the field together.

Shawnee State (4-2) will have an excellent opportunity to claim victory Saturday morning when the Bears look to capitalize by claiming a victory over (RV) Governor's State, Ill. (5-2) in the second and final day of the Bevo Francis Classic. Tip off is set for 11 a.m. at Newt Oliver Arena in Rio Grande.