Lincoln got 20 points from Freddie Sims, but it wasn't enough as the Blue Tigers dropped a 70-59 decision to Truman State on Saturday at Jason Gym.
The Blue Tigers never led in the game and trailed by as many as 17 in the second half.
Truman led 30-27 at halftime and Lincoln hung around for much of the second half. A Sims 3-pointer with 11:23 remaining cut Truman's lead to 41-40. But the Bulldogs put together a 19-2 run in the next six minutes to put the game away. Lincoln got no closer than 11 the rest of the game.
It was the fifth loss in six games for Lincoln as Truman hit 24-of-30 free throws to hold on down the stretch.
Alicia Johnson had 10 points for Lincoln.
Nicole Gloor had 18 points to lead Truman while Becka McHenry added 15.
With Truman (19-5, 12-4 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) leaving the conference for the Great Lakes Valley Conference, this likely was the final meeting between the two schools. Truman had been a member of the MIAA since its inception in 1912.
Lincoln (10-14, 5-11 MIAA) is still in the mix for a berth in the conference tournament. The Blue Tigers are tied for 11th with the top 12 teams reaching the postseason.
Lincoln plays its final home game at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday against Lindenwood.
III
In the men's game later Saturday, Lincoln dropped an 81-74 decision to Truman.
Cedric Ridle Jr. had another great effort for the Blue Tigers, totaling 37 points for the second straight game. He was 12-of-19 from the field and 10-of-12 at the free-throw line before fouling out.
Charles Cole added 18 points for Lincoln, while Darious Whitson came off the bench to add 11.
Seth Jackson finished with 26 points for Truman State. Isaac Gardner added 18, while Mike Carlson chipped in with 16.
Lincoln led by as many as 12 points on a couple of occasions in the first half, the final coming with 2:37 left on a free throw by Cole. The Blue Tigers took a 47-36 advantage into intermission.
Truman State whittled into the defict, cutting it to one at 62-61 with 7:21 remaining on a 3-pointer by Gardner.
The two teams traded points over the next couple of minutes before Truman State closed with an 18-10 run to take the victory.
Lincoln (3-23 overall, 2-14 MIAA) is back in action Wednesday at home against Lindenwood. Truman State is now 9-15, 6-10.