JOPLIN, Mo. - DJ Richardson led four Blue Tigers in double figures with 21 points, but the Lincoln men's basketball team dropped an 83-77 decision to Missouri Southern on Thursday evening (Feb. 8).

Richardson also provided three rebounds, three assists and a steal while Franck Yetna had 13 points to go with seven boards and a block. Sam Rautins drained four treys to finish with 12 points, five boards, a team-high four steals and three assists. Trey Boston, meanwhile, came off the bench to add 10 points, three boards, two assists and a pair of steals.

Lincoln (13-8, 8-7 MIAA) forced Missouri Southern (10-12, 8-8 MIAA) into 14 turnovers, resulting in 25 points for LU, and the Blue Tigers held the Lions to .364 shooting from downtown. The Blue Tigers shot .415 overall but were cold from long range, shooting .188 from three-point distance. The Lions, who shot .490 from the field, also made 25 free throws while the Blue Tigers sank 17.

With 7:51 remaining in the second half, Missouri Southern owned a 62-52 lead, but Lincoln clawed back to get within three on a Richardson layup with 3:14 to play.. After MSSU went 1-for-2 at the line, Richardson hit a jumper to make a two-point affair. The teams then traded free throws, with Richardson's two buckets at the charity stripe making the score 70-68. Missouri Southern scored the next four points, however, and the Blue Tigers were unable to get closer than within four the rest of the way.

Jamar Madge, Jr. ended the evening with eight points and four rebounds while Jose Roberto Tanchyn supplied six points, four boards, a block and an assist. Caleb Wright had two boards and a steal to go with five points, and Elijah Farr closed the scoring with two points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal. 

Lincoln will finish its current three-game road trip on Saturday (Feb. 10) as the Blue Tigers travel to Pittsburg, Kan. to take on Pittsburg State at 3:30 p.m. CST.