HAYS, Kan. - Grant Olsson scored 24 points and Jonell Burton added 13, but the Lincoln men's basketball team dropped a 72-63 decision to Fort Hays State on Saturday (Feb. 16).

Olsson and Burton each grabbed four rebounds, and Olsson had an assist, block and a steal while Burton dished a pair of assists. Ni'Sean Rigmaiden also had a big day, scoring eight points to go with team-highs in rebounds (seven) and assists (eight).

Lincoln (16-8, 9-6 MIAA) scored the first four points of the ballgame, and took a 12-9 lead on a jumper by L'Kielynn Taylor with just under 12 minutes until halftime. A quick jumper followed by a fast break dunk allowed Fort Hays State (15-9, 9-6 MIAA) to take the lead, and FHSU went on an 11-3 to go up 20-15.

The Blue Tigers cut the FHSU lead down to two, but Fort Hays State scored nine unanswered to take a double-digit advantage. Olsson and Terrance Smith responded by making back-to-back threes, however, and LU eventually cut the deficit down to 32-29 at halftime. Smith scored eight points, grabbed five boards and had a pair of assists.

A 9-2 run by LU gave Lincoln back the lead, 38-34, early in the second half, and with 13:58 to play the Blue Tigers held a seven-point advantage. Fort Hays State responded with another big run, scoring 11-straight points, but Lincoln ended up pulling within one on a Smith free throw that made the score 56-55 in favor of the home team.

That was as close as Lincoln would come to re-taking the lead, though, as FHSU scored the next seven points and held off the Blue Tigers down the stretch. Lincoln shot .420 from the floor and .333 from three-point range, but .619 from the free throw line. LU held FHSU to .292 shooting from long range, but Fort Hays State was .473 overall and .765 at the charity stripe.

Taylor also scored eight points for LU to go with six rebounds, and Ivory closed out the scoring with two points and three rebounds.

Lincoln will play the final four games of the regular season in the friendly confines of Jason Gym, starting on Tuesday (Feb. 19) when the Blue Tigers host Lindenwood at 7:30 p.m. CST.