JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln men's basketball team shot .609 from the field, .667 from three-point range and .778 at the free throw line in the second half as the blazing hot Blue Tigers beat Missouri Western in Jason Gym, 76-66, on Wednesday night (Jan. 24). 

Missouri Western entered the week ranked No. 22 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Division II poll, and falls to 14-4 overall and 8-4 in the MIAA with the loss. Lincoln, which improved to 12-6 overall and 7-5 in the conference, picked up its first win over a top-25 opponent since Jan. 30, 2021. The opponent in that victory was also Missouri Western, which at the time was ranked No. 23.

Four Blue Tigers scored in double figures, led by Elijah Farr, who had 18 points, four assists and two rebounds. DJ Richardson dished five assists and had a steal to go with 17 points and six rebounds. Franck Yetna and Jamar Madge, Jr. each scored 12 points, with Yetna also adding seven boards and three blocks.

The teams went back and forth in the first half, with six ties and seven lead changes before an 8-2 LU run in the final 2:20 gave the Blue Tigers a 32-27 advantage at halftime. The Griffons scored the first points of the second half to tie the game, but a jumper from Richardson and a three by Farr gave the Blue Tigers back the lead, and Lincoln never trailed again the rest of the way. After MWSU clawed back within two, the hot-shooting Blue Tigers used a trey by Sam Rautins to go on an 8-0 run, and LU later used a 19-2 run to go ahead by 17 with 5:23 remaining.

Jose Roberto Tanchyn finished the night with eight points, a team-high eight rebounds and three blocks, and Rautins provided five points, three boards, two assists, a pair of blocks and a steal. Trey Boston closed the scoring with four points, two rebounds and an assist, and Tyson Robinson collected a rebound.

Lincoln will have another opportunity to take down a ranked opponent on Saturday (Jan. 27) when the Blue Tigers play No. 21 Northwest Missouri at 3:00 p.m. CST.