JOPLIN, Mo. - The Lincoln men's basketball team out-scored Missouri Southern by 10 in the second half, but the rally ended up falling short as the Blue Tigers dropped a 72-66 decision to the Lions on Thursday (Feb. 4).

Quinton Drayton had a double-double, leading Lincoln in both scoring (17 points) and rebounding (11) while also dishing four assists. Sai Witt provided 15 points, seven boards and three steals while Derrick Woods added 14 points and four rebounds.

Lincoln (8-6, 8-6 MIAA) got off to a slow start, as Missouri Southern (9-7, 9-7 MIAA) scored the first 12 points of the ballgame. The Blue Tigers answered with a run of their own, ultimately climbing back to within two after Cameron Potts' free throw made it a 20-18 contest. The Lions closed the first half on a 10-0 run, however, taking a 40-24 advantage into halftime. Potts, meanwhile, finished with seven points, five boards, five assists and two steals.

The Blue Tigers shot the ball better in the second half, with Woods scoring five-straight points to pull LU to within 55-51 of the Lions with 8:27 to play. Later in the half, Witt hit a jumper off a fast break to make the score 60-57 in favor of the Lions, and finally, with 2:19 to play, Charles Wilson drained a three to make it a 65-62 affair. Wilson ended the day with eight points.

After Wilson's triple, Witt secured a rebound and was sent to the line, where he made a pair of buckets to bring the Blue Tigers to within one. Missouri Southern responded with a three of its own, however, and Lincoln was held to just a pair of Yaniel Vidal free throws down the stretch. Vidal had five points, three steals, two rebounds and a pair of assists on the evening.

Lincoln will be back in action on Saturday (Feb. 6) when the Blue Tigers take on Pittsburg State in Pittsburg, Kan. at 3:30 p.m. CST.