JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln men's basketball team fought back from a 10-point halftime deficit to close the gap to three, but Pittsburg State held off LU's rally to win, 77-60, on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 30).

The Blue Tigers entered halftime facing a 37-27 deficit, but Jose Roberto Tanchyn hit a jumper and Jamar Madge, Jr. drained a three to begin the LU comeback. PSU would later push its lead back up to 11, but back-to-back baskets by Tanchyn and DJ Richardson pulled LU to within seven, 43-36.

Pittsburg State (7-4, 3-2 MIAA) scored on a fast break layup to go ahead by nine with 15 minutes remaining, but Richardson scored on a fast break of his own, draining a three-pointer to make the score 45-39. An old-fashioned three-point play by Elijah Farr got the Blue Tigers within three with 11:56 remaining, the Gorillas answered with a jumper, and Farr got fouled on a shot attempt on LU's next possession. Only one of the free throws was good, however, and PSU hit a jumper to make it a six-point game once again.

With just under nine minutes to play, Sam Rautins made a three-point shot to bring Lincoln (8-3, 3-2 MIAA) back within 49-46. That was as close as LU would come to completing the comeback, though, as the Gorillas went on a 28-9 run to take command of the game. Pittsburg State shot .500 in both halves and .741 overall at the line while Lincoln shot .328 for the contest and .222 from long distance. LU forced 13 turnovers while giving the ball away only 10 times, but the Gorillas held a 42-38 advantage on the glass.

Tanchyn and Frank Yetna each scored 11 points, with Tanchyn also grabbing seven rebounds and recording a block, a steal and an assist. Yetna had a team-high four steals to go with four rebounds and Richardson aded 10 points and two assists to the Lincoln cause. Rautins led the Blue Tigers with nine rebounds and scored seven points while tallying a pair of takeaways.

Farr collected seven rebounds, blocked a shot and dished two assists while Tyson Robinson added nine points and an assist. Madge ended the day with five points, two boards and a steal, and Caleb Wright and Trey Boston each had a rebound. Bronson Borlace recorded a steal and Tyvin Garrison closed the scoring with three points.

Lincoln opens the 2024 portion of its schedule on the road, traveling to Kearney, Neb. on Thursday (Jan. 4) to play Nebraska Kearney at 7:30 p.m. CST.