EMPORIA, Kan. - It was a low-scoring affair in White Auditorium with two teams playing outstanding defense for 40 minutes, but the Lincoln men's basketball team came up just short in a 57-48 loss to Emporia State on Thursday (Jan. 5).

Emporia State (11-3, 5-3 MIAA), which entered the week ranked No. 20 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Division II poll, held the Blue Tigers to .304 shooting overall and forced 16 turnovers. Conversely, Lincoln (7-4, 3-4 MIAA) limited ESU to .348 shooting, held the Hornets to just .222 shooting beyond the arc, and forced 15 turnovers. LU also out-rebounded Emporia State, 39-29.

The Hornet led by as many as 16 in the first half before back-to-back treys by Sam Rautins helped Lincoln cut the deficit down to 33-24 entering the second half. The Blue Tigers played very well defensively over the final 20 minutes, holding Emporia State to .240 shooting from the field and .133 from three-point range. LU got within 40-37 on a three-pointer by Tyson Robinson with 12:54 remaining, but the Hornets used a 7-0 run to regain the momentum.

Sai Witt turned in his second double-double of the past three games to lead Lincoln with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Rautins finished with 15 points, three assists and a pair of steals. Kevin Kone grabbed 10 rebounds and chipped in six points, and Robinson had seven points and four assists. Emmette Page provided four points to round out the scoring.

Franck Yetna collected three rebounds and blocked a shot, and DJ Richardson and Jamar Madge, Jr. each grabbed two boards, with Richardson also notching an assist and a steal. 

The Blue Tigers head to Topeka, Kan. on Saturday (Jan. 7) to play Washburn at 3:00 p.m. CST.