HAYS, Kan. - DJ Richardson and Elijah Farr combined to score 39 points, but the Lincoln men's basketball team dropped a 69-64 decision on the road to Fort Hays State on Saturday (Jan. 6).

Richardson led the Blue Tigers with 20 points while Farr chipped in 19, and each player grabbed five rebounds and dished two assists. Franck Yetna, meanwhile, added 15 points. blocked a shot, dished an assist and grabbed two rebounds. Trey Boston added six points, four boards and one assist to the Blue Tiger cause.

With Fort Hays State (11-3, 6-2 MIAA) holding a 22-14 lead, Farr made a pair of free throws and Richardson scored four-straight points to pull the Blue Tigers within two. FHSU briefly halted the run with a jumper, but Jose Roberto Tanchyn made a layup and Richardson drained a three for a 25-24 LU lead with just under four minutes until halftime. The teams traded the lead by making free throws, then Jamar Madge, Jr. put Lincoln up by three on a jump shot .Fort Hays State scored the next four points, however, to take a 31-29 lead into the break.

Farr tied the game early in the second half on a layup, but FHSU scored the next seven points to regain the advantage. Yetna made a pair of free throws, Farr hit a shot and Yetna made a dunk to cut the lead down to 38-37, and Farr later tied the contest again at 43 on a layup with 11:40 remaining. Fort Hays State went on another big run, however, out-scoring the Blue Tigers 13-3 to go up by 10 with 7:38 left on the clock.

Lincoln (9-4, 4-3 MIAA) fought back, with Richardson ultimately cutting the FHSU lead down to 65-64 with a little over 30 seconds to play. Fort Hays State made a jumper and Lincoln missed a three, forcing the Blue Tigers to have to foul. FHSU salted the game away with a pair of free throws, and a last-second three-point attempt missed the mark.

Tyson Robinson and Sam Rautins each grabbed two rebounds, with Robinson additionally dishing a pair of assists. Madge recorded a steal, Tyvin Garrison grabbed a rebound and Tanchyn supplied two boards and an assist.

Lincoln will host Emporia State on Thursday (Jan. 11) at 7:30 p.m. CST.