JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln men's basketball team nearly rallied from a 14-point deficit in the final five minutes, but Lindenwood managed to escape with an 86-82 win over the Blue Tigers on Tuesday (Feb. 19).

All five Lincoln starters scored in double figures, led by Jonell Burton and Grant Olsson, who each had 17 points and four rebounds. Burton also dished five assists and had a block while Olsson dished an assist. Amariontez Ivory chipped in 16 points and Terrance Smith added 14 as well as a block and a team-high eight rebounds.

Ni'Sean Rigmaiden provided 12 points, six boards and six assists for Lincoln (16-9, 9-7 MIAA), which shot .466 from the floor and .750 at the line while edging the Lions in rebounding, 31-30. Lindenwood (14-14, 7-9 MIAA), however, shot .537 from the field and made nine treys, five of which came in a first half in which the Lions shot .655 overall.

Lindenwood held an eight-point advantage at halftime, but Lincoln stormed back to keep it close in the second half. The Lions began to pull away, taking an 80-66 lead with 5:35 to play on a pair of free throws.

Three-straight free throws for Lincoln, followed by an Ivory layup, pulled the Blue Tigers to within nine, and after Lindenwood briefly regained a 12-point lead, Ivory hit a trey to make it an 83-74 affair. Smith later made a three to spring the Blue Tigers onto an 8-0 run, putting Lincoln within 84-82 of the Lions with 12.6 ticks left on the clock.

After Lincoln forced a jump ball on the ensuing inbounds pass, with the possession staying with Lindenwood, the Lions managed to draw a foul, and hit both free throws to create the four-point cushion. Lincoln tried a three in the dwindling seconds, but it was off the mark and the Lions grabbed the rebound to stop the Blue Tiger comeback.

L'Kielynn Taylor came off the bench to add five points, four boards and an assist, and Darrius Spencer made a free throw, grabbed a pair of rebounds and had a steal.

Lincoln will be back in Jason Gym on Saturday (Feb. 23) to host Washburn in a 3:00 p.m. CST contest.