GUAYNABO, P.R. - Max Ekono posted a double-double and four other members of the Lincoln men's basketball team scored in double figures as the Blue Tigers beat Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, 96-58, on Saturday (Nov. 15).

Lincoln (2-0) shot .508 from the floor and .417 from three-point range while making all 20 of its free throw attempts. The Blue Tigers held a dominant 42-18 advantage in rebounding and received 64 points from its bench. Ekono led LU with 13 rebounds and chipped in 12 points to go with an assist and a steal.

Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras (0-2) scored first on a jumper and held an 11-7 lead with just under 15 minutes remaining in the first half. D'Necco Rucker hit a trey to pull LU within one, a pair of free throws by Solomon Oraegbu gave LU the lead and Tyler Chapman scored on a layup to put Lincoln on top by three. The Blue Tigers never trailed afterwards, taking a 52-34 lead into halftime before scoring 44 points over the final 20 minutes.

Oraegbu led the Blue Tigers with 20 points and collected five rebounds to go with three assists. Rucker tallied 11 points, three boards, two assists and a steal. Rashad Williams and Amar Kadic each scored 10 points, with Williams pulling down two rebounds and Kadic grabbing one.

Chapman came close to finishing in double figures as well, ending the day with nine points, three boards, a block and an assist. Tyler Lucas provided five points, two rebounds and three assists to the winning cause while Malcolm Davis dished two assists and Robin Discamps chipped in six points. 

Enari Thomas had seven points, seven boards, two assists and a block while Matthieu Biembongo finished the day with four points, four rebounds and a steal. Reumang Emagna closed the scoring with two points and a pair of rebounds.

Lincoln opens its home slate on Monday (Nov. 17) by hosting Hannibal-LaGrange at 7:30 p.m. CST.