ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Lincoln men's basketball team matched last year's win total Thursday night, picking up its 16th win with a 78-67 victory at Missouri Western.
Lincoln trailed 31-27 at halftime, but shot 56.7 percent and only turned it over twice in the second half to help the Blue Tigers outscore the Griffons 51-36 in the final 20 minutes.
Jaylon Smith found ways to score inside and out, making 10-of-11 at the free-throw line and 3-of-5 from 3-point range. Lincoln made 21-of-30 at the line.
Anthony Virdure shot 7-of-10 inside the arc to score 20 points. He also led with 10 rebounds to record a double-double.
Rod Ollison was the other Lincoln player to score in double figures, making 5-of-6 of his shots for 11 points.
Missouri Western had four players score in double figures, led by Seth Bonifas with 17.
Lincoln (16-11, 9-9 MIAA) closes out the regular season Saturday at No. 3 Northwest Missouri. Game time is 3:30 p.m.
III
The Lincoln women lost its second straight game Thursday, falling 98-67 to Missouri Western.
The Blue Tigers kept it close early as the game was tied at 18 after one quarter of play, but the Missouri Western outscored Lincoln 31-15 in the second quarter.
The Griffons kept extending their lead, outscoring the Blue Tigers 21-14 in the third quarter and 28-20 in the fourth.
Khadijah Ellison led Lincoln with 19 points. Hunter Yoakum finished with 18 points. Tempary Gunter shot 4-of-6 to score nine points. She also had six rebounds.
Missouri Western had eight players score at least eight points, including 20 from Dwanisha Tate.
Lincoln (5-20, 4-14 MIAA) will finish off the regular season Saturday at Northwest Missouri. Game time is 1:30 p.m.