JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln men's basketball team shot .531 from the floor and out-scored Southwest Baptist by 18 in the first half en route to an 85-73 victory on Saturday (Jan. 21). The game was part of Lincoln's annual Think Pink Day and, in partnership with the American Cancer Society and Coaches vs. Cancer, the Blue Tigers wore pink shirts during warm-ups and after the game to honor survivors, remember victims and promote awareness.

Anthony Virdure accounted for nearly half of the Blue Tigers' offense, as the senior scored a career-high 41 points on 11-for-18 shooting. Virdure also matched a career-high with 16 free throws and dished three assists to go with three rebounds and a steal. Jaylon Smith was next for Lincoln with 13 points to go with seven rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Lincoln (13-6, 6-4 MIAA) opened the game on a 17-3 run and led 45-27 at halftime. Southwest Baptist (10-8, 3-6 MIAA) shot just .261 from the floor in the opening half, but rallied in the second to cut the LU lead down to 10, 75-65, with 3:12 remaining. Virdure hit four-straight free throws to put LU back on top by 14, and the Blue Tigers kept the Bearcats down by at least 12 the rest of the way.

Richie Lewis came close to a double-double, finishing with nine points, a team-high nine rebounds and a pair of assists. Tacourrus Mattox was next with six points and Maurice Mason and Chase Morfeld each chipped in five. Rod Ollison provided three points and three rebounds while Kevin Bolen added three points and a board. Bolen and Clark each blocked shots.

The two teams combined for 60 personal fouls and 82 free throw attempts, with Southwest Baptist scoring 33 of its 73 points at the line. The Bearcats out-rebounded Lincoln, 32-30, but committed 16 turnovers compared to nine for LU. The Blue Tigers also shot .400 from three-point range while limiting SBU to just two makes from long distance in 14 tries (.143).

The Blue Tigers will be on the road for their next two games, beginning with a trip to Hays, Kan. on Thursday (Jan. 26) to play Fort Hays State. Tip-off for that contest is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST.