JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Kevin Kone posted his MIAA-leading 10th double-double of the season to help the Lincoln men's basketball team win its third-straight home game as the Blue Tigers beat Central Missouri, 57-49, on Saturday (Jan. 28).

Kone scored 14 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and blocked six shots, all of which were game-highs, and also dished two assists. Three other Blue Tigers scored in double figures, including Sai Witt, who ended the afternoon with 12 points, six boards and an assist. Artese Stapleton and DJ Richardson each had 11 points, six rebounds and two assists, with Stapleton also notching a steal.

Lincoln (13-5, 9-5 MIAA) outgained Central Missouri (9-11, 5-9 MIAA) on the glass, 44-36, in a game that featured 14 lead changes and eight ties. The Blue Tigers shot .420 overall, compared to .317 shooting by the Mules, and allowed UCM to shoot just .182 from three-point range. 

The Mules held a 26-25 lead at halftime, and later took a 42-40 advantage on a trey with 7:49 to play. Lincoln would allow the Mules to score just seven points the rest of the way, however, and a jumper by Kone sprung LU onto an 11-0 run. UCM wouldn't get back on the board again until there was 1:43 left on the clock, as the Mules pulled to within 51-44 on a layup. The Blue Tigers made six free throws down the stretch, though and the Mules never came closer than within six.

Franck Yetna also had a block and also tallied a rebound and an assist while Tyson Robinson ended the day with two boards and a dime. Sam Rautins supplied six points, a team-high three assists and two rebounds to the winning cause, while Jamar Madge, Jr. closed out Lincoln with three points, a rebound and a steal.

Following victories during Lincoln's last two home games on Jan. 12 and Jan. 14, the win is the third-straight inside Jason Gym for the Blue Tigers. It's also LU's sixth victory in its past seven games, and also marks the sixth year in a row that Lincoln has beat Central Missouri in Jason Gym. Finally, combined with Lincoln's 74-72 win over the Mules in Warrensburg, Mo. on Dec. 11, this marks the first time that the Blue Tigers have swept Central Missouri in an MIAA season since 1986-87.

Lincoln will next play on Thursday (Feb. 2), as the Blue Tigers host Missouri Southern in Jason Gym at 7:30 p.m. CST.