The Lincoln Blue Tigers saw an 11-point lead at intermission slip away in a 63-point second-half barrage Wednesday night by Rockhurst as the Hawklets posted a 95-93 victory at Jason Gym.
The Blue Tigers opened the game on a 16-4 run and took a 43-32 lead into halftime. Lincoln led by as many as 13 points early in the second half before Rockhurst battled back.
The Hawklets tied the game at 64 with a little more than 10 minutes remaining and a little later used a 10-0 run to take a 79-69 advantage with seven minutes left.
Lincoln fought its way back and a free throw by Aaron Spudich tied it at 93 with :08 left. But Rockhurst's Russell Burns hit a pair of free throws with :03 remaining to give Rockhurst a 95-93 advantage. A 3-pointer by Lincoln was off the mark at the final buzzer.
Bradon McCann led three Rockhurst players in double figures with 30 points, Burns added 14, including a 6-for-6 performance at the charity stripe, while Andrew Ellwanger chipped in with 10 for the Hawklets (1-1). Rockhurst finished 25-of-28 at the free-throw line.
Clay Crouch scored 24 points to pace five Blue Tigers in double figures. Mike Smith added 17, while Spudich had 12. Joshua Bule and Charles Cole had 10 each.
Lincoln (0-3) will host Maryville at 7 p.m. Friday.