The Lincoln men's and women's basketball teams will look to avenge earlier losses and get back on the right track when the Blue Tigers meet Central Missouri for the second time this season today in Warrensburg.
The Blue Tiger women (4-17, 1-13) will open up the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association matchup against the Jennies (18-3, 12-2) at 5:30 p.m., while the Lincoln men (3-19, 1-13) will take on the Mules (19-4, 11-3) at 7:30.
Snapping a one-game losing streak won't be an easy task for either Blue Tiger team, as the Mules and Jennies are both ranked second in the MIAA.
The Jennies, who edged the Blue Tigers 71-70 on Jan. 22 at Jason Gym, have won their last three games and are ranked No. 13 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association poll.
Meanwhile, Lincoln is coming off a 65-53 loss to Northwest Missouri on Saturday after picking up its first league victory of the season and putting an end to a 12-game losing streak in a 67-58 victory against Lindenwood on Feb. 6.
The Blue Tigers will try to slow down a Central Missouri team that is ranked second in the league in scoring offense (76.2 ppg) and ninth in scoring defense (67.2).
Keuna Flax, the MIAA's leading scorer, paces the Jennies with 20.7 points per game. BreAnna Lewis is next in line with 13.7 ppg, while Shlelby Winkelmann (10.6 ppg) and Revonnia Howard (9.8 ppg) round out the top end of Central Missouri's offense.
For Lincoln, it starts with Jennifer Rosado, who has continued to lead the Blue Tigers' offense this season. The junior guard has recorded 11 straight double-digit performances, including five in which she dropped at least 20 points.
Rosado is now averaging 14 points per game and has recorded double figures in all but five games this season for Lincoln, which is ranked last in the MIAA in scoring offense (58.6 ppg) and 11th in scoring defense (70 ppg).
Lincoln freshman Hunter Yoakum, who has started 15 games this season, is next on the scoring chart with 10.1 ppg.
Angela Randall has proven to be the Blue Tigers most versatile player, averaging 9.3 ppg while leading Lincoln in rebounding (6.1), assists (2.3) and steals (42).
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The Blue Tiger men are coming off a 97-78 to Northwest Missouri, which leads the MIAA with a 13-1 league record.
Today's matchup won't be any easier as Central Missouri is currently ranked second in the league at 11-3. The Mules have gone on to win five straight games after claiming a 89-61 victory against Lincoln on Jan. 22.
Central Missouri leads the MIAA in scoring defense (68.7) and is No. 7 in scoring offense (80.9), while the Blue Tigers are ranked last in both categories.
Mike Smith paces Lincoln with 16.1 points per game and has reached double figures in 15 games with six 20-plus point performances. Joshua Buie is next in line with 16 ppg and leads the Blue Tigers in assists (3.3) and steals (2.0).
Dillion Deck's 14.3 points per game leads Central Missouri, while Daylen Robinson (12.4 ppg) and Chalres Hammork (12.3) add to the Mules' offensive attack.
Both Lincoln teams will return home Saturday when the Blue Tigers host Southwest Baptist.