BOLIVAR - The Lincoln Blue Tigers took their first lead about seven minutes into Friday's game and never lost it as they opened the men's basketball season with a 70-61 victory against East Central in the Southwest Baptist Classic.
It was the 3-point shot that gave Lincoln the lead and paced the Blue Tigers all game long.
John Burton hit from deep for a 16-15 lead with 12:51 left in the first half.
Burton was one of four Blue Tigers to make a 3-pointer. He made 4-of-8 of his 3s for 12 points.
Tez Ivory led the Blue Tigers with 20 points, knocking down four of his five 3-pointers. As a team, Lincoln shot 10-of-18 from long range.
Ivory's second 3-pointer of the game started a 21-4 run for Lincoln.
Jamey Woods, Gerren Jackson and Camron Talley each made a 3-pointer for the Tigers to lead Lincoln 11-5 about four minutes into the game.
Then Lincoln took over.
Burton's 3-pointer to take the lead started a string of 13 straight points for the Blue tigers.
Terrance Smith made a 3 to make it 26-15 with 8:38 left in the first half to cap the run.
East Central only got it as close as eight the rest of the first half as Lincoln took a 40-27 advantage into halftime.
Lincoln's largest least of the game was 15, occurring five times in the final 20 minutes.
Jonell Burton scored 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting and added six rebounds for Lincoln. Smith was 5-of-7 from the floor on his way to 12 points.
L'Kielynn Taylor grabbed a game-high nine rebounds for Lincoln.
Da'Rion King led East Central with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Talley added 13 points.
Lincoln (1-0) concludes play in the SBU Classic with a matchup against Minot State at 2 p.m. today.