JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Three Blue Tigers scored in double figures as the Lincoln men's basketball team held off a late Lane comeback to win in its home opener, 76-67, on Friday night (Nov. 16).

Amariontez Ivory led all scorers with 21 points and grabbed six rebounds while Terrance Smith provided a team-high eight boards as well as 13 points, two blocks and a pair of assists. Jonell Burton added 14 points to the winning cause, as Lincoln (2-1) shot .455 from the floor and .818 at the line to secure a victory in its first game in Jason Gym in 2018-19.

Grant Olsson hit a trey as time expired in the first half to sent Lincoln into halftime with a 31-28 lead over Lane (0-1). The Dragons tied the game at 33 early in the second half, but a dunk from Jonell Burton sparked the Blue Tigers onto a 15-0 run to take the lead for good. Olsson finished with nine points and five rebounds, while Ni'Sean Rigmaiden also scored nine and contributed four steals, two assists and two boards.

A tip-in by Olsson put Lincoln up, 64-45, with 7:08 to play, but a pair of three-pointers book-ended a 13-2 run by the Dragons that allowed Lane to pull within 66-58 with 3:59 to play. Lane would get within seven on an old-fashioned three-point play with 1:26 remaining, but Ivory hit a trey on the ensuing Blue Tiger possession to give Lincoln a 75-65 advantage. LU held the Dragons to just two points the rest of the way to clinch the victory.

Zack Fields and John Burton each chipped in three points, with Fields also tallying three assists and two rebounds. L'Kielynn Taylor pulled down four rebounds and score two points, while DJ Ward added two points and TJ Babikir grabbed a rebound to close out the Blue Tigers.

Lincoln will be back on its home court on Saturday (Nov. 17) to host LeMoyne-Owen at 2:00 p.m. CST.