Complete Game Notes
Game #5: Newman (4-2, 0-0 MIAA) at Lincoln (3-1, 0-1 MIAA)
Date: Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022
Time: 7:30 p.m. CST
Site: Jefferson City, Mo.
Live Stats: https://lubluetigers.com/sidearmstats/mbball
Live Video: https://themiaanetwork.com/lubluetigers/

Game #6: No. 7 Central Oklahoma (5-0, 0-0 MIAA) at Lincoln
Date: Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022
Time: 3:00 p.m. CST
Site: Jefferson City, Mo.
Live Stats: https://lubluetigers.com/sidearmstats/mbball
Live Video: https://themiaanetwork.com/lubluetigers/

THE TIP OFF:  The Blue Tigers are back in Jason Gym this week to host Newman and Central Oklahoma. The Lincoln men's basketball team plays its fourth home game of the season on Thursday (Dec. 1) when LU hosts Newman at 7:30 p.m. CST. On Saturday (Dec. 3), Lincoln faces its toughest test thus far in the regular season as Central Oklahoma, which is ranked No. 7 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Division II poll, visits Jason Gym for a 3:00 p.m. CST contest. The Blue Tigers are 3-1 on the season and 0-1 in conference play after a 66-54 loss to Pittsburg State in their MIAA opener this past Monday (Nov. 28). At home, Lincoln is 3-0 with win over William Woods, Harris Stowe and Calvary.

FAST BREAKS
- The Blue Tigers will play Newman for the 13th time on Thursday, but just the fifth as conference rivals, as the Jets joined the MIAA in 2019-20.

- Newman leads the all-time series, 8-4, after snapping a four-game losing streak to the Blue Tigers by defeating LU in Wichita, Kan., 89-76, on Feb. 24, 2022. Lincoln's last victory in the series came just three days earlier, as LU beat the Jets in Jason Gym, 67-62, on Feb. 21.

- On Saturday, Lincoln will host Central Oklahoma in the 14th meeting of the all-time series between the programs. UCO leads the series, 9-4, and won the last meeting, 82-55, last season.

- Lincoln's last victory over the Bronchos came in the 2020 MIAA Men's Basketball Championship tournament, as LU beat UCO in the opening round, 78-69.

- A win on Saturday would be the first for Lincoln since Jan. 30, 2021, when the Blue Tigers beat No. 23 Missouri Western, 95-74, in Jefferson City.

PREVIEWING THE BLUE TIGERS:  Kevin Kone is averaging double-double with 13.0 points and 15.5 rebounds while Artese Stapleton averages a team-leading 18.3 points per night. Emmette Page and Sam Rautins are each averaging 9.3 points while Tyvin Garrison averages 10.3 and Franck Yetna, who is tallying 5.8 rebounds, is next on the scoring list with 8.3 per contest.

HEAD COACH JIMMY DREW:  In his first year as the head coach at Lincoln, Drew came to LU following a six-year run on the staff at Division I Central Florida. Drew helped lead UCF to a pair of 20-win seasons and a berth in the second round of the NCAA tournament, and he coached three players who continued their careers in the NBA.

LAST TIME OUT
Lincoln 82, William Woods 61
Lincoln led by 18 at halftime and never looked back, as four players scored in double figures in a season-opening win over William Woods on Nov. 14. Kevin Kone recorded team-highs in points (16) and rebounds (15), Sam Rautins had 12 points, Artese Stapleton scored 13 and Franck Yetna added 10 points and six boards.

Lincoln 78, Harris Stowe 49
Kevin Kone tallied 17 points and eight rebounds while Artese Stapleton provided 15 points as LU beat Harris Stowe in a showdown between the two HBCUs in the state of Missouri on Nov. 17. Emmette Page added 10 points, Sam Rautins had nine points and Franck Yetna had seven boards.

Lincoln 128, Calvary 36
Lincoln made 19 baskets from three-point range en route to a big win over Calvary on Nov. 19 that closed a three-game homestand. LU was led by Artese Stapleton with 27 points and 10 assists while Kevin Kone had 18 points and 15 boards. Emmette Page chipped in 16 points, Jamar Madge, Jr. added 14 and Tyvin Garrison scored 18. Arash Yaqubi finished with 10 points.

Pittsburg State 66, Lincoln 54
Pittsburg State and Lincoln played each other evenly for 33 minutes, with six lead changes and 10 ties, but the Gorillas held the Blue Tigers to zero points over the final seven minutes to win the MIAA opener for both programs, 66-54, last Monday (Nov. 28). Artese Stapleton led Lincoln with 18 points while Kevin Kone doubled up with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Franck Yetna had 10 points and three steals.

SCOUTING THE JETS:  Stevie Strong leads NU with 21.0 points and 3.8 assists per game while Latik Murphy also averages double digit points (13.8). Khaleem Bennett, who is leading Newman in rebounding (4.8), is next with 9.6 ppg., while Sam Somerhalder averages 8.0 points and 4.7 boards. Newman averages 76.3 points, but allows 73.8.

NU HEAD COACH RJ ALLEN:  The sixth-year head coach of the Jets has more than 50 career victories, and led NU to a 20-9 season and third place in the Heartland Conference in 2018-19. That followed a 2017-18 campaign in which NU won 10 HC games, its highest total in league games since the 2012-13 season.

SCOUTING THE BRONCHOS:  Jaden Wells is shooting .500 from the field, .500 from long range and 1.000 at the line while leading UCO with 20.0 points and 3.0 steals per night. Three other UCO players are averaging double digit points, with Curtis Haywood (11.4 ppg.) leading the Bronchos in rebounding with 7.8 per night. Camryn Givens (14.2 ppg.) and Callen Haydon (13.6 ppg.) are the other scoring leaders.

UCO HEAD COACH BOB HOFFMAN:  The 2022 MIAA Coach of the Year after leading UCO to the regular season league championship, Hoffman is in his fourth season at Central Oklahoma. He has led UCO to 51 victories, and has over 600 wins in a career that includes an 11-year stint at Division I Mercer, where he won 209 games.

DEFEATING DIVISION I:  Lincoln's exhibition win over Missouri-Kansas City on Nov. 7 was the first victory over a Division I opponent for the Blue Tigers since 1978-79, when LU beat Arkansas-Little Rock in Jefferson City, 84-60. That was one of two regular season wins over a DI for LU, which also beat UALR, then a DI Independent, in 1977-78.

NO FOUL, NO FOUL!:  The Blue Tigers don't foul often, as they have committed just 11.8 per game. Not only is that the lowest average in the MIAA, it is also the second-best in Division II behind just American International, which is committing 10.2 fouls per night.

NATIONAL TOP-10:  In addition to ranking second in NCAA Division II in fouls, Lincoln is also second in the nation in both scoring defense (53.0) and scoring margin (+32.5). Lincoln's turnover margin (+8.0) is the sixth-best in DII, and LU is also 10th nationally in steals per game (11.5).

REBOUNDING WELL:  Kevin Kone's 5.3 offensive boards per game is leading the country while his 13.0 rebounding average is the second-best in DII. Kone is also second in the MIAA and 12th nationally in defensive rebounds (7.8).

GET YOUR TICKETS:  Lincoln is partnering with Hometown Ticketing once again to sell tickets to all of LU's basketball games online in 2022-23. For more information, visit www.LUBlueTigers.com/Tickets.

JOIN THE CLUB:  The Blue Tiger Athletics Club is a great way to engage with other LU fans while supporting Lincoln student-athletes. Every dollar raised by the club goes towards scholarships, improving facilities and purchasing equipment. To join the BTAC, or to learn more, please visit www.LUBlueTigers.com/BTAC.

WATCH LIVE:  Fans who are unable to attend a game in person will still be able to cheer on the Blue Tigers to victory via The MIAA Network. All 14 LU home games will be broadcast through a new multi-camera system and can be seen at www.TheMIAANetwork.com/LUBlueTigers.

GEAR UP FOR THE GAME:  Lincoln fans can get everything they need for the game at www.BlueTigersStore.com, the official online store for LU athletics. Everything from jerseys to office supplies can be found on the site, with a portion of all sales going to benefit Lincoln athletics.

NEXT UP:  Lincoln will play Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. a week from Sunday (Dec. 11) at 3:00 p.m. CST.