Complete Game Notes | Home Game Policy
Game #23: #18 Fort Hays State (18-5, 13-4 MIAA) at Lincoln (13-9, 8-8 MIAA)
Date: Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. CST
Site: Jefferson City, Mo.
Live Stats: https://lubluetigers.com/sidearmstats/mbball
Live Video: https://themiaanetwork.com/lubluetigers/

Game #24: Nebraska Kearney (5-17, 2-15 MIAA) at Lincoln
Date: Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024
Time: 3:00 p.m. CST
Site: Jefferson City, Mo.
Live Stats: https://lubluetigers.com/sidearmstats/mbball
Live Video: https://themiaanetwork.com/lubluetigers/

THE TIP OFF:  The Lincoln men's basketball team is back in Jason Gym for a pair of rematches this week. The first game of the week is on Thursday (Feb. 15) when the Blue Tigers host Fort Hays State at 7:30 p.m. CST. This is a revenge game for the Blue Tigers, who lost a very close game to FHSU in Hays, Kan., 69-64, back on Jan. 6. FHSU enters the week rated No. 18 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II poll. Meanwhile, on Saturday (Feb. 17), Lincoln will try to achieve its second sweep of the season when the Blue Tigers host Nebraska Kearney at 3:00 p.m. CST. Lincoln, which beat UNK, 90-67, on the road on Jan. 4., has also beat Central Missouri twice in 2023-24.

FAST BREAKS
- Lincoln and Fort Hays State are meeting for the 31st time on Thursday evening, with FHSU leading the series 20-10.

- Fort Hays State has won six-straight against Lincoln, with LU's last win in the series being a 76-64 victory in Jefferson City on Jan. 9, 2021.

- Lincoln plays Nebraska Kearney for the 20th time on Thursday. LU holds a slim 11-9 advantage in the series.

- The Blue Tigers have won three-straight games against the Lopers, including sweeping Nebraska Kearney last year.

PREVIEWING THE BLUE TIGERS:  Elijah Farr is averaging 11.8 points and 6.7 rebounds while DJ Richardson is scoring 15.6 points per night and dishing 3.4 assists. Franck Yetna, with 11.7 points per contest, is also one of the team's top scorers while Jamar Madge, Jr. averages 7.5 points and Jose Roberto Tanchyn averages 7.4.

HEAD COACH JIMMY DREW:  In his second year as the head coach at Lincoln, Drew led the Blue Tigers to 17 overall wins and 13 conference victories, the latter a program record, in 2022-23. Drew came to LU following a six-year run on the staff at Division I Central Florida, where he helped UCF to a pair of 20-win seasons and a berth in the second round of the NCAA tourney.

LAST TIME OUT
Lincoln 52, Central Missouri 51
Elijah Farr, who had 16 points on the afternoon, scored all of LU's points in overtime to lead the Blue Tigers to a 52-51 road win against Central Missouri on Saturday, Feb. 3. Franck Yetna added 12 points and eight rebounds and Jose Roberto Tanchyn collected 10 rebounds as the Blue Tigers earned a season sweep over the Mules.

Missouri Southern 83, Lincoln 77
After trailing by seven at halftime, Lincoln pulled to within two entering the final two minutes of the game, but a hot night at the free throw line helped Missouri Southern escape with an 83-77 win in Joplin, Mo. on Thursday (Feb. 8). Four Blue Tigers scored in double figures, including DJ Richardson, who led LU with 21 points. Franck Yetna provided 13 points, Sam Rautins scored 12 and Trey Boston added 10 points.

Pittsburg State 75, Lincoln 56
Pittsburg State went 22-for-23 at the free throw line while Lincoln made five of its 10 free throw attemptes in PSU's 75-56 win in Pittsburg, Kan. on Saturday (Feb. 10). Jose Roberto Tanchyn led Lincoln with nine points and 11 rebounds while four other players scored eight points apiece.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS:  Kaleb Hammeke, with 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists, leads a balanced FHSU scoring attack that out-scores its opponents by an average of 66.9-57.4. Elijah Nnanabu is scoring 12.7 points per game while Bjarni Jonsson and Shaun Riley are each scoring 7.6 points per game.

FHSU HEAD COACH MARK JOHNSON:  The all-time wins leader at Fort Hays State, Johnson has more than 400 victories with the Tigers and has led FHSU to seven appearances in the NCAA tournament. The Tigers have won at least 20 games in 11 seasons under Johnson, with four players earning All-American honors.

SCOUTING THE LOPERS:  Four UNK players average at least 10 points per game, with Sean Murphy tallying 10.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Damiri Lindo leads Nebraska Kearney with 12.7 points per night, Sean Evans averages 10.3 points and D'Aundrae Samuels is second on the team with 12.2.

UNK INTERIM HEAD COACH ANTOINE YOUNG:  After spending the past six seasons as Nebraska Kearney's assistant coach, Young was elevated to the top position after Kevin Lofton resigned after UNK's first game of the 2023-24 campaign. Young began his career at NAIA Concordia and played professionally in Sweden, Mexico and the Netherlands.

THEME NIGHTS:  Thursday night's (Feb. 15) game against Fort Hays State will be a "Black Out" game for the Blue Tigers, with fans asked to show up wearing black. Saturday (Feb. 17) is the annual Think Pink game, with fans encouraged to join the Blue Tigers in wearing pink to support the search for a cure for cancer. Feb. 29 is Greek Night as well as the annual Coaches vs. Cancer game while the regular season finale on March 2 will be a "White Out" as well as Senior Day. Fans are asked to wear white for LU's last game of the regular season.

NOTABLE NATIONAL NUMBERS:  Lincoln is sharp at the line, shooting .785, NCAA Division II's 11th-best free throw percentage. The Blue Tiger defense is 18th in DII, as opponents score just 66.5 points per contest. Lincoln's field goal defense (.426) is the country's 65th-best while LU's three-point defense (.327) rates 81st.

PLAY IT, DJ:  DJ Richardson, who has the nation's 27th-best free throw percentage of .892, is leading Lincoln while rating fifth in the MIAA with 15.6 points per game. He is leading Lincoln with 3.4 assists per game, averages 3.4 boards and is shooting .457 overall, with that percentage ranking 11th in the MIAA. His 66 made three throws are also the 14th-most by an MIAA player this season.

OFF THE BOARD:  There are two stats that seem to play a role as to whether or not LU wins this season. The first is rebounding, as the Blue Tigers are 10-1 when out-gaining opponents on the glass and 2-0 when equaling rebounds. When the other team wins the rebound battle, LU is 1-8.

SHOOT AROUND:  The other predictive stat is shooting percentage, as Lincoln is 12-3 when tallying a better field goal percentage than its opponents. When the opponent has the better shooting night, the Blue Tigers are 1-5. When LU makes at least 50-percent of its shot attempts, the Blue Tigers are 8-0. When Lincoln falls under that 50-percent threshhold, LU is 5-9.

JOIN THE CLUB:  The Blue Tiger Athletics Club is a great way to engage with other LU fans while supporting Lincoln student-athletes. Every dollar raised by the club goes towards scholarships, improving facilities and purchasing equipment. To join the BTAC, or to learn more, please visit www.LUBlueTigers.com/BTAC.

WATCH LIVE:  Fans who are unable to attend a game in person will still be able to cheer on the Blue Tigers to victory via The MIAA Network. All 14 LU home games will be broadcast through a new multi-camera system and can be seen at www.TheMIAANetwork.com/LUBlueTigers.

GEAR UP FOR THE GAME:  Lincoln fans can get everything they need for the game at www.BlueTigersStore.com, the official online store for LU athletics. Everything from jerseys to office supplies can be found on the site, with a portion of all sales going to benefit Lincoln athletics.

NEXT UP:  The Blue Tigers travel to Topeka, Kan. to play Washburn on Thursday, Feb. 22 for a 7:30 p.m. CST contest.