KEARNEY, Neb. - Yaniel Vidal hit a three-pointer off a late Nebraska Kearney turnover with 0.4 seconds remaining to give the Lincoln men's basketball team a 68-65 win over the Lopers on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 20).

Vidal had nine points in the win, though none were bigger than the three at the end of the game that gave LU the win in regulation. Quinton Drayton had tied the game at 65 with 20 seconds to play, and UNK lost the ball while dribbling up court for a potential winning shot of its own. Vidal grabbed the loose ball and drained the three as time was about to expire, and Lincoln improved to 11-9 both overall and in MIAA play.

The Blue Tigers came out of the game strong, shooting .514 from the field in the first half en route to a 43-38 halftime lead. Nebraska Kearney (8-12, 8-12 MIAA) also started strong, shooting .535 from the field during the first 20 minutes, as neither team had a lead larger than six points than six in the entire contest. Lincoln achieved one of those six-point advantages with 5:48 remaining in the game, as Charles Wilson drained a trey to put LU ahead, 60-54.

The Lopers used a late surge to get back into the contest, making a layup before blocking a Blue Tiger shot attempts and scoring again with a fast break jumper. A free throw by Sai Witt made it a three-point game again, but UNK answered with two buckets at the line before capitalizing on an LU turnover with a three-pointer that gave the Lopers a 63-61 lead. In total, Saturday's game featured six ties and 10 lead changes.

Drayton tied the game at 63 entering the final minute, but Lincoln was called for a foul, sending UNK back to the line. The Lopers once again made both free throws, giving LU the ball back for a chance to take the lead. The first shot attempt by the Blue Tigers was no good, but Wilson grabbed the offensive rebound, and Drayton later made a jumper to set up Vidal's last-second game-winner. Lincoln out-rebounded the Lopers, 37-32, and ended up scoring 16 second-chance points.

Drayton finished with 11 points and seven rebounds, and Vidal grabbed five boards while Wilson tallied seven points and four rebounds. Derrick Wilson led LU with 18 points, and Witt nearly had a double-double, totaling eight points, nine boards, six assists, a block and a steal. Cameron Potts, meanwhile, also dished six assists and chipped in 13 points to go with five rebounds and a pair of steals. 

Jordan Notch had two points and a rebounds while Mekhi Kimble and Lamont Ballard, Jr. each notched a rebound and an assist.

Lincoln returns home for its Senior Night game on Thursday (Feb. 25), as the Blue Tigers host Newman at 7:30 p.m. CST.