TOPEKA, Kan. - The Lincoln men's basketball team led for most of the night, but Washburn hit a three-pointer in the closing seconds to win, 66-64, on Thursday (Feb. 22).

The Blue Tigers shot .433 in the first half to build a 31-22 lead at the break, and were even hotter in the second half, shooting .563 overall and .750 from three-point range. A layup by Elijah Farr with 14:46 remaining gave LU a 12-point advantage, but the Ichabods used a 12-0 run to tie the game at 42 with 11 minutes to play. Jose Roberto Tanchyn ended the run with an old-fashioned three-point play, and the Blue Tigers maintained the lead until the 4:21 mark, when WU knotted the score at 56.

Sam Rautins drained a three to once again give Lincoln (16-9, 12-7 MIAA) the lead, but Washburn (14-11, 9-10 MIAA) answered with a trey of its own. A bucket by Tanchyn broke the tie, and Farr made a free throw to give LU a three-point cushion with 55 seconds left in regulation. The Ichabods made two free throws, forced a turnover, and then took the lead with two more shots at the line.

DJ Richardson was sent to the line with 19 ticks left on the clock and made both attempts, putting Lincoln ahead by one. As time ran off the clock, however, Washburn made a three-pointer, and the Blue Tigers were unable to attempt another shot.

RIchardson scored a team-high 20 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished three assists while Rautins finished with 14 points and three boards. Farr had 10 points to go with six rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Tanchyn, meanwhile, ended the night with five points, six boards, a steal, two blocks and an assist.

Trey Boston also scored 10 points and dished three assists, Tyson Robinson blocked a shot and Caleb Wright added two points and three rebounds to the Lincoln cause. Jamar Madge, Jr. closed out the Blue Tigers with three points, four boards, two assists and a block.

Lincoln heads to Emporia, Kan. on Saturday (Feb. 24) to play Emporia State at 3:30 p.m. CST.