CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Lincoln men's basketball team got a taste of Division I basketball. It wasn't a good one.
Southern Illinois Carbondale drubbed Lincoln 83-47 in an exhibition Saturday night.
The Blue Tigers stayed with the Salukis for the majority of the first half, even leading 25-23 with eight minutes to go until intermission.
It was all Southern Illinois from there. The Salukis closed out the first half on a 19-4 run to take control of the game.
It was more of the same in the second half, as the Salukis gradually pulled away. Southern Illinois' largest lead was also the game's final score. Lincoln never led by more than two points.
Cedric Ridle led the Blue Tigers with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting. His teammates went 9-for-34. DeShun Watkins scored nine points, all from the free-throw line (9-of-10). Shakir Preston grabbed seven rebounds.
Lincoln is off until Nov. 9, when it opens the season in the SBU Classic against Minnesota State-Moorhead in Bolivar.