MARYVILLE, Mo. - A strong defensive effort in the first half helped Northwest Missouri beat the Lincoln men's basketball team, 59-38, on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 21).

The Blue Tigers forced the Bearcats, who entered the week ranked No. 9 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Division II poll, into 11 turnovers, but NWMSU allowed LU to make just two three-pointers during the game. Northwest Missouri (17-2, 10-2 MIAA) held Lincoln (11-5, 7-5 MIAA) to 14 points in the first half. The Blue Tigers responded well in the second half, giving up only 20 points while allowed NWMSU to shoot just .250 overall and .125 from long range, but the Bearcats managed to hold on for the win.

Artese Stapleton scored a team-high 13 points and grabbed four rebounds to go with an assist and a steal. DJ Richardson was next for LU with seven points and also had four boards while Kevin Kone pulled down nine rebounds to go with four points. Sai Witt added five points, six boards, two steals and an assist.

Tyson Robinson also scored four points and Jamar Madge, Jr. finished with three while Arash Yaqubi provided two points and a pair of rebounds. Franck Yetna blocked three shots, collected two rebounds and notched a steal, and Emmette Page and Caleb Wright each had a rebound. Sam Rautins rounded out LU with two steals,an assist and a board.

Lincoln remains on the road on Monday (Jan. 23) to play Missouri Southern in Joplin, Mo. at 7:30 p.m. CST.