It's MIAA play the remainder of the basketball season for the Lincoln Blue Tigers, starting with a home doubleheader tonight against Pittsburg State.
The women's game will start the action at 5:30 p.m. at Jason Gym.
At 9-2 overall, Lincoln is off to its best start since it posted the same record in 2011-12. The Blue Tigers are 1-1 in MIAA play with a road win at Northwest Missouri State and a one-point loss at Missouri Western in early December.
The Blue Tigers have won their last two games, non-conference contests at Upper Iowa (73-48) and a home victory Sunday against Saint Louis College of Pharmacy (71-42).
Zoi Thompson paces the Blue Tigers at 16.9 points per game, while Zhanesha Dickerson is next at 16.4 points to go along with a team-best 9.5 rebounds. Dickerson has posted double-doubles in seven of Lincoln's last nine games.
Bre Coleman, who led the team in scoring and rebounding last season, is next at 15.0 points per contest since returning to the lineup in mid-December.
Pittsburg State is 10-1 overall, 2-0 in the MIAA. The Gorillas, tied with three other teams at the top of the conference standings, have won nine straight since dropping a 66-55 decision to Minnesota State-Morehead in their second game of the season.
Shelby Lopez tops two Gorillas scoring in double figures with 12.1 points, while Athena Alvardo is next at 11.8.
The Gorillas hold a 32-2 edge in the series against the Blue Tigers.
The men's game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start.
Lincoln will bring an 8-3 overall record into the contest, including a 1-1 start to conference play. In early December, Lincoln lost 85-78 at Northwest Missouri State before winning 79-68 at Missouri Western.
The Blue Tigers have won four straight games, including an 80-53 win Sunday against Culver-Stockton.
Terrance Smith leads four Blue Tigers averaging in double figures with 16.5 points. Amariontez Ivory is next at 14.0, followed by Jonell Burton at 13.0 and Ni'Sean Rigmaiden at 10.5.
Smith pulls down a team-high 6.6 rebounds per game.
Pittsburg State (9-2, 2-0), coached by Kim Anderson, has two players averaging more than 20 points per game. Grant Lozoya is totaling 26.8 points per contest to lead the conference, while Donovan Franklin is at 20.1.
The Gorillas are one of five MIAA teams off to 2-0 starts in conference play.
Lincoln has won its last three home games against Pittsburg State.
Lincoln will host Missouri Southern in a conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon.