HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State made a pair of free throws with four seconds remaining in overtime to hand the Lincoln men's basketball team a 74-72 loss on Thursday night (Jan. 26).

The game featured 16 lead changes and seven ties, with both teams holding the other under .400 shooting. Lincoln (13-7, 6-5 MIAA) shot .382 from the floor and .375 from three-point range. Fort Hays State (11-7, 5-5 MIAA), meanwhile, shot .397 overall and .364 from long range. FHSU also held slight edges in rebounding (40-39) and turnovers (11-14).

Anthony Virdure made the last field goal by either team in regulation with 4:21 remaining, as his jumper pulled the Blue Tigers within 58-57. Richie Lewis made a pair of free throws to give Lincoln the one-point advantage, but Fort Hays State took a 60-59 lead on two shots from the line with just under three minutes left in the half. Tacourrus Mattox then swung the lead back to LU with two more baskets at the charity stripe.

Fort Hays State missed a shot on the ensuing possession, and Jaylon Smith pulled down the rebound with 25 seconds remaining. Smith was called for a travel, however, and a foul sent FHSU to the line with a chance to take the lead. The first free throw was no good, but the second tied the game at 61 all. Virdure attempted to win the game with a three-pointer, but it was no good and the two teams headed to overtime.

Virdure opened the extra period by making a free throw, but FHSU responded with a three-pointer to take a 64-62 advantage. Fort Hays State would eventually take a five-point lead with 2:08 remaining, but Virdure made a trey and Rod Ollison hit a pair of free throws to knot the score back up at 70.

The two teams exchanged buckets, but another turnover by Lincoln gave Fort Hays State one last chance at the win. FHSU made its free throws with four ticks left on the clock, and the Blue Tigers were unable to get off a shot attempt as Fort Hays State escaped with the win.

Virdure led LU with 19 points and dished five assists. Smith posted his fifth double-double of the season, recording 16 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals and a pair of blocks. Maurice Mason added nine points, six boards, three assists and two steals. Lewis, meanwhile, also scored nine to go with five boards and an assist.

Mattox tallied seven points and pulled down six rebounds while Ollison finished with six points and three rebounds. Chase Morfeld and O'Shai Clark rounded out the scoring with three points apiece, with Morfeld also registering an assist and a steal.

Lincoln will try to get back in the win column on Saturday (Jan. 28) when the Blue Tigers travel to Kearney, Neb. to face Nebraska Kearney in a 4:00 p.m. CST contest.