BOLIVAR, Mo. - This one was a lot closer, but the result was the same for the Lincoln men's basketball team.
One day after getting blown out by 36 in their season opener, the Blue Tigers returned to action Saturday in the Southwest Baptist Classic.
Unfortunately for the Blue Tigers, they're now 0-2 after they suffered an 83-78 defeat at the hands of Henderson State.
Lincoln had its chances down the stretch to tie or take the lead, but could never get over the hump.
The game was tied at 73 with 4:09 left when the Blue Tigers' Clay Crouch made 1-of-2 free throws. But the Reddies immediately went on 7-1 run to take lead and never trailed again.
Lincoln could have taken the lead down 80-78, but missed a 3-pointer with :11 left. However, the Blue Tigers got the rebound and called timeout. But they then missed jumper with :08 left, only to get the rebound. However, a turnover with :03 left ended their chances, as Henderson State hit 3-of-4 free throws down stretch to win it.
The Reddies, who led 41-36 at halftime, got a game-high 24 points from Melvin Haynes.
The Blue Tigers put four players in double figures in the loss. Joshua Buie led the way with 20 points, while Clay Crouch and Mike Smith added 16 apiece. Charles Cole had a double-double, racking up 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
Lincoln shot 48 percent (30-of-63) to just 40 percent for Henderson State (26-of-65), but the Reddies made 22-of-32 free throws to just 10-of-16 for the Blue Tigers.
Henderson State also had a 48-32 edge in rebounds.
Lincoln will return to action Wednesday when it opens the home portion of its schedule at 5:30 p.m. at Jason Gym against Rockhurst.