JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Terrance Smith scored a game-high 35 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to help the Lincoln men's basketball team Missouri Southern on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 5).

Amariontez Ivory finished with 20 points and three assists while Grant Olsson added 17 points and four boards as the Blue Tigers won their sixth-straight game for their longest winning streak since the 2000-01 season. The victory over Missouri Southern (11-3, 2-2 MIAA), which entered the week ranked No. 20 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Division II poll, also give LU its first win over a ranked opponent since beating No. 25 Northwest Missouri in 2015-16.

Lincoln (10-3, 3-1 MIAA) was 8-for-13 (.615) from three-point range and shot .517 from the floor in the first half as the Blue Tigers took a 47-29 lead at the break. After the Lions scored six quick points to start the second half, the Blue Tigers bounced back to go up by 20, 63-43, on a Jonell Burton jumper inside the key with 14:04 to play.

The Lions roared back, as a layup followed by a pair of free throws sprung Missouri Southern onto a 31-11 to tie the game at 74 with 3:48 remaining. Ivory got fouled on a successful three and made the ensuing free throw to give Lincoln back the lead, and Ni'Sean Rigmaiden later converted an old-fashioned three-point play to put the Blue Tigers ahead 81-74.

Missouri Southern went on one final run late in the game, closing the gap to 85-81 with 32 ticks left on the clock. Lincoln hit five free throws down the stretch, however, and limited the Lions to just a tip-in with about nine seconds to play to secure the seven-point victory.

Rigmaiden dished six assists, scored five points and grabbed four rebounds, and Jonell Burton added four points and a pair of assists. John Burton filled up the stat sheet with eight points, a rebound, an assist, a block and a steal, and Darrius Spencer made a free throw and had a block and a steal. DJ Ward also represented LU with a rebound.

Lincoln will now have a week to prepare for its next contest, as the Blue Tigers play Lindenwood in St. Charles, Mo. on Saturday (Jan. 12) at 3:30 p.m. CST.