2016 Senior Day Ceremony Photo Gallery
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Lindenwood made a late three-pointer to force overtime, but the Lincoln men's basketball team came back to beat the Lions, 69-67, on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 27).

The victory improves the Blue Tigers 15-13 overall and 11-11 in MIAA play, clinching the first winning season for Lincoln since going 14-12 in 2001-02. The 15 total wins are the most for the Blue Tigers since the 2000-01 squad finished 20-7, and the 11 league victories are the most for LU since the 1980-81 team won the MIAA regular season title with an 11-3 conference record.

Lindenwood's Cory Arentsen, who scored 40 points in the game, made a three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining to force overtime. He then made a pair of free throws to give Lindenwood (15-13, 11-11 MIAA) a two-point lead early in the extra frame, but O'Shai Clark hit a layup to spring LU onto a 6-0 run to take the lead for good. Lindenwood pulled to within two on three occasions, but each time Lincoln found a way to answer. The Lions' final points came on a tip-in as time expired.

Virdure was LU's leading scored with 20 points, and he dished four assists while grabbing three rebounds. Richie Lewis came close to having a double-double, totaling 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals.

Clark finished second on the scoring chart with 17 points to go with a pair of rebounds, two steals and an assist. Jaylon Smith also scored in double digits, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, a steal and an assist.

Tacourrus Mattox, Rod Ollison and DeAnthony Wilson each scored three points apiece while Aaron Spudich contributed a free throw. Mattox tied for the team lead with eight rebounds and had a block and an assist while Ollison grabbed four boards and dished an assist to go with a steal. Spudich also had a steal for LU.

Lincoln made 10 three-pointers, including seven in the first half, and shot .526 from long range. Lindenwood, meanwhile, was held to just three makes from long distance in 21 tries (.143). The Lions shot .473 from the floor while the Blue Tigers shot .415, but Lincoln held the edge in turnovers (13-15). The Lions ended the game with a slim 34-31 advantage in rebounding.

Saturday was Senior Day, with a special ceremony held prior to the game to honor graduating seniors Wilson and Jeremy Jackson.

With the win, Lincoln advances to the MIAA Tournament, where the Blue Tigers will host a first round game against Emporia State on Tuesday night (March 1) at 7:00 p.m. CST.