Wins would be big this afternoon for the Lincoln Blue Tigers when they host the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats at Jason Gym.
On the men's side, the Blue Tigers (15-12 overall, 9-9 MIAA) are looking to clinch their best possible spot for the conference postseason tournament when they square off against the Bearcats (23-3, 15-3) at 3:30 p.m.
Lincoln can finish tie or finish seventh or eighth outright after action today. The top four teams receive first-round byes in the 12-team tournament. The fifth- through eighth-place finishers will host first-round games Tuesday against ninth- through 12th-place teams.
A win would give the Blue Tigers their first winning MIAA record since finishing 9-5 in the 1986-87 season. Lincoln's last winning league record came in 2001-02 (7-3) when it was a member of the Heartland Conference.
Lincoln had a four-game winning streak snapped Thursday in an 82-73 decision to Missouri Western at Jason Gym.
Northwest Missouri, the defending NCAA Division II national champion, is ranked No. 10 in the country in the NABC poll. The Bearcats would lock up the No. 1 seed in the MIAA Tournament with a victory. Northwest Missouri has clinched at least a share of five consecutive MIAA titles, equaling the mark set by Southwest Missouri State from 1966-70.
Northwest Missouri defeated Lincoln 76-43 in a Feb. 1 contest in Maryville, the Blue Tigers' last loss before starting the recent winning streak. Terrance Smith had 16 points in that game for the Blue Tigers, while Marquise Williams totaled 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Justin Pitts had 20 points to pace the Bearcats, who led 45-27 at the half.
Northwest Missouri is coming off a 67-60 victory against Lindenwood on Thursday night in St. Charles. The game was tied at 52 before the Bearcats closed the game on a 15-8 run.
On the women's side, Lincoln (4-22, 1-17) will be looking to close its season on a winning streak when it takes on Northwest Missouri (4-22, 3-15) at 1:30 p.m.
The Blue Tigers snapped an 18-game losing streak Thursday by besting Missouri Southern 73-62 at Jason Gym. Bre Coleman finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds for Lincoln to post her seventh double-double of the season, while Faith Brintle added 17 points.
The teams met Feb. 1 in Maryville as Northwest Missouri rallied for a 61-60 victory against Lincoln.
It is Senior Day for both Lincoln teams.
The Lincoln women have five seniors - Amber Braxton, Tyler Brown-Henderson, Naomi Bryant, Kailey Foster and Citlali Lopez. The Lincoln men have two - Alexander Nailes and Maurice Mason.
The seven will be honored between the games this afternoon.