FORT SMITH, Ark. - DJ Richardson poured in 28 points to lead the Lincoln men's basketball team to a season-opening 78-70 victory over Harding on Friday evening (Nov. 10) at the GAC/MIAA Challenge.

RIchardson made nine field goals, including four from three-point range, and went 6-for-6 at the line while also dishing four assists. Elijah Farr and Franck Yetna each scored 14 points, with Farr tallying a double-double, as he also ended the day with team-highs in rebounds (10), assists (five), blocks (three) and steals (three). Yetna also had three steals and three rebounds.

The first half was an evenly-played affair, feature five ties and 13 lead changes. Lincoln shot .533 overall and .500 from long range in the opening half, but Harding (0-1) shot .538 from the floor and .600 from three-point land to keep pace with the Blue Tigers. After the Bisons knocked down a trey to take a one-point advantage with less than a minute until the break, Richardson drove down the court and hit a jumper to put LU ahead, 41-40, entering halftime.

The Blue Tigers never trailed afterwards, building a 58-49 lead on a triple by Tyson Robinson with 13 minutes remaining. The Bisons answered with a 7-0 run to pull within two, but Farr briefly halted the run with a three-pointer that put Lincoln ahead 61-56. Harding would later get back within one, but back-to-back baskets by Richardson and Jose Roberto Tanchyn restored Lincoln's five-point cushion. Robinson ended the day with seven points, three assists, two steals and a pair of rebounds while Tanchyn added six points, a block and an assist to the winning cause.

Lincoln made 11 three-pointers in the contest, finishing with a .478 shooting percentage from long distance and a .545 percentage overall. The Blue Tigers were also .875 at the line, with Richardson making four clutch free throws down the stretch to prevent Harding from having an opportunity to make it a one-score game. LU forced HU into 13 turnovers, resulting in 15 points, and held the Bisons to .250 shooting from three-point range in the second half.

Sam Rautins provided nine points, two assists and two boards and Arash Yaqubi grabbed a rebound. Peyton Williams and Caleb Wright also represented Lincoln on the court as the Blue Tigers won their season-opener for the second-straight year.

Lincoln will remain in Arkansas to face Ouachita Baptist in its final game of the GAC/MIAA Challenge on Saturday (Nov. 11). Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CST.