KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Destan Williams led the Lincoln men's basketball team with 17 points and Ni'Sean Rigmaiden doubled up with 16 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, but the Blue Tigers fell to Arkansas-Monticello, 73-67, in the 2021-22 season opener for both teams on Saturday (Nov. 13). The game was played in Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium as part of the MIAA-hosted Central Region Challenge.

Mark Boland came off the bench to provide nine points and three boards, and Aaron Burt had a steal and an assist to go with three boards and eight points. Williams and Josh Wallace each dished four assists, and Williams tallied three steals while Wallace scored five points. Alafia Oluwasogo contributed four points and three rebounds to the Blue Tiger cause.

A layup by Williams gave Lincoln a five-point lead with 14:21 to play in the first half, but UAM answered with a 9-0 run that ended up giving the Boll Weevils the lead for the rest of the half. A free throw by Burt would pull LU to within 16-15 of Arkansas-Monticello, but the Boll Weevils went on a 10-2 run to re-take control of the contest. The Boll Weevils eventuall took a 30-21 lead into halftime.

The Blue Tigers opened the second half well, with a clutch three from Williams and a bucket by Wallace allowing LU to tie the game at 32 at the 16:46 mark. After UAM hit a pair of free throws, Rigmaiden converted an old-fashioned three-point play to give Lincoln a 35-34 lead. A layup gave the Boll Weevils back the lead, however, and UAM led by as many as eight with 6:51 remaining. 

Lincoln had one last rally in it, though, starting with a pair of free throws by Chuck WIlson, who scored three points, grabbed three rebounds, dished two assists and notched a steal in the ballgame. Williams hit a jumper, and another free throw by Wilson made it a 55-52 affair. The Boll Weevils would end up pushing their lead back up to eight, however, and Lincoln would get no closer than within five the rest of the way.

Yaniel Vidal scored three points, and Derrick Woods added two points to close the scoring. Mekhi Kimble and John Gaines also represented LU on Saturday.

The Blue Tigers will continue the 2021-22 season on Sunday (Nov. 14) in Kansas City with an 11:00 a.m. CST game against Minnesota State-Mankato.