EDMOND, Okla. - The Lincoln men's basketball team had no answer for Central Oklahoma's hot shooting Thursday as the Bronchos won 105-78.
Central Oklahoma shot 74 percent (20-of-27) from the field in the first half, when it raced out to a 59-29 lead, and 63 percent (36-of-57) overall.
The Blue Tigers, meanwhile, shot just 33 percent from the field in the opening half and 39 percent for the game.
Lincoln was able to cut the deficit to 21 about seven minutes into the second half but couldn't get any closer.
Jarred Bairstow led the Bronchos with 23 points, on a perfect shooting night. He was 9-for-9 from the field and 2-for-2 at the free-throw line. Teammate Kendahl Amerson was nearly perfect, shooting 7-for-8 from the field on his way to scoring 20 points.
Anthony Virdure led Lincoln with 27 points. Jaylon Smith added 18 and O'Shai Clark scored 10.
Lincoln (12-8, 8-6 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) will play at Northeastern State (5-13, 4-10 MIAA) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
III
The Central Oklahoma women's team scored 33 points off 25 Lincoln turnovers on its way to beating the Blue Tigers 77-62.
Lincoln trailed by as many as 19 in the second quarter and was down 34-23 at halftime. But the Blue Tigers were able to pull within six thanks to five 3-pointers in the first six minutes of the second half.
Lincoln shot 8-for-25 from beyond the arc while the Bronchos shot 8-for-19.
Turnovers ended up costing the Blue Tigers as Central Oklahoma was able to extend its lead to 76-53 with 2:35 remaining before Lincoln scored nine of the final 10 points of the game.
Hunter Yoakum came off the bench to lead Lincoln with 16 points, while Zuri Hill finished with 11 points and six rebounds. Lizzie Nessling led the Blue Tigers with nine rebounds.
Asia McCaskill and Hill put Lincoln up 4-0 to start the game, but the Bronchos took a 5-4 lead with 5:38 remaining in the first quarter and never allowed Lincoln to lead or tie it after that.
The Blue Tigers (7-13, 3-11 MIAA) will take their three-game losing streak to Tahlequah, Okla., on Saturday to face Northeastern State (6-14, 3-11 MIAA). Game time is set for 1:30 p.m.