ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - A big second half helped the Lincoln men's basketball team win its fourth-straight game as the Blue Tigers defeated Missouri Western, 70-56, on Thursday (Jan. 19).

The Griffons jumped out to an early 9-2 lead, but Artese Stapleton hit a trey to pull within 11-9 with 13:32 until halftime. Another three, this one by DJ Richardson, gave Lincoln (11-4, 7-4 MIAA) an 18-17 advantage, and Stapleton extended it to four with another trey at the 7:52 mark. Stapleton, who dished a team-high six assists, tied with Sai Witt for the team-high with 19 points. Witt additionally supplied six rebounds and two blocks.

Missouri Western (8-9, 4-7 MIAA) would eventually retake the lead, going ahead by three on a layup with 2:20 until the intermission, but yet another three-pointer by Stapleton followed by a bucket from Kevin Kone put LU back on top, 26-24, heading into halftime. Kone posted a double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds and also finished with a block, a steal and an assist.

While the first half went back-and-forth, the Blue Tigers dominated the second half, shooting .600 from both the field and three-point range while allowing the Griffons to make just four shots from long distance. Sam Rautins knocked down a three to cap a 12-2 run to open the half, and a layup by Witt later made the score 51-34 in favor of the Blue Tigers. Lincoln would go on to hold an 18 point lead on two occasions before ending the day with a 14-point victory.

Richardson had 10 points and four steals while Rautins finished with two steals and a pair of rebounds. Franck Yetna made a free throw and supplied two boards and an assist. Tyson Robinson also grabbed a rebound.

Up next for Lincoln is Northwest Missouri, currently ranked No. 9 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Division II poll. The Blue Tigers travel to Maryville, Mo. to play the Bearcats on Saturday (Jan. 21) at 3:30 p.m. CST.