Complete Game Notes
Game #4: Lincoln (3-0) vs. Emporia State (1-2)
Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Site: Avila University in Kansas City, Mo.
Live Audio: https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirruscontent/KFFX
Live Stats: https://esuhornets.com/sidearmstats/mbball
 
THE TIP OFF:  The undefeated Lincoln men's basketball team puts its undefeated record on the line on Saturday (Nov. 22) when the Blue Tigers play Emporia State on the campus of Avila University. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CST for this neutral site match-up between Lincoln and one of its former MIAA rivals. Lincoln swept a pair of games in Puerto Rico to open the season and then beat Hannibal-LaGrange in Jefferson City, 69-44, on Monday evening (Nov. 17). Emporia State is 1-2 through the first three games of the season, though both losses were close. The Hornets fell to Wayne State, 80-76, in their first game before beating St. Cloud State, 77-61, with both games held in St. Joseph, Mo. ESU opened its home slate on Wednesday (Nov. 19) with a 77-72 loss to William Jewell.
 
FAST BREAKS
- This will be the 40th meeting between Emporia State and Lincoln, with ESU holding a 25-14 advantage in the series.
 
- Lincoln last played Emporia State in the first round of the 2024 MIAA Championship. The Blue Tigers won, 59-55, in Kansas City.
 
- LU has won 10 of its last 17 games against ESU.
 
- A win on Saturday would give Lincoln a 4-0 start to a season for the third-straight year. The Blue Tigers began 2023-24 and 2024-25 with 5-0 records.
 
PREVIEWING THE BLUE TIGERS:  After a pair of 20-point performances, Solomon Oraegbu leads Lincoln with 19.0 points per game. He also averages 6.7 rebounds while Max Ekono, who is scoring 9.0 points per game, leads the team with 8.3 boards per night. Enari Thomas averages 11.7 points and 5.0 rebounds and Tyler Chapman is next with 11.0 points, 3.0 boards and 2.3 assists per contest. Malcolm Davis leads LU in assists (2.7) and averages 6.7 points.
 
HEAD COACH JIMMY DREW:  In 2024-25, Drew led Lincoln to its first-ever GLVC tournament title as well as the program's first bid into the NCAA tournament since 1981. In four years leading the Blue Tigers, he has won over 50 games, including posting a 23-9 record last season. Drew led LU to a 17-10 record during his first season, which began with an exhibition victory at Division I UMKC.
 
LAST TIME OUT:  Tyler Chapman scored 15 points and Malcolm Davis added 14 as Lincoln won its home opener, 69-44, against Hannibal-LaGrange on Monday (Nov. 17). Max Ekono had nine points and nine rebounds, Enari Thomas added nine points and three steals, and Solomon Oraegbu finished with eight points.
 
SCOUTING THE HORNETS:  Three Emporia State players are averaging double digit points, led by Andrew Pengel with 15.0 per game. Dallas Bear averages 12.7 points and 5.0 rebounds while Chris Harris is next with 11.3 points. Trey Redd leads ESU with 3.3 assists per contest and scores 8.0 points. Devin Conley, meanwhile, averages 6.7 points per night.
 
ESU HEAD COACH TOM BILLETER:  The long-time coach of Augustana, Billeter has over 500 wins in his 28-year career. Billeter, who began his head coaching career at North Dakota State, was an assistant coach at Texas A&M before leading Augustana to nearly 400 victories. Billeter went 11-18 in his first year at Emporia State.
 
ALL-CONFERENCE:  Tyler Chapman was named to the All-GLVC second team last year after averaging 13.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists while helping LU achieve a 23-9 record. He also was named to the GLVC All-Tournament team after scoring 53 points to help Lincoln claim the league championship.
 
TOURNAMENT TIME:  Lincoln won the GLVC tournament in 2024-25 to clinch its 13th trip to the NCAA Division II Championship. Lincoln also made the field in 1959, 1960, 1961, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1981. The GLVC tournament title was the first-ever league postseason tournament victory for Lincoln.
 
ATTACK THE GLASS:  Lincoln once again is one of the best teams in the nation in rebounding, as the Blue Tigers have NCAA Division II's fourth-best rebound margin of +17.3. The Blue Tigers are 31st in the country, and first in the GLVC, with 30.3 defensive boards per night. Overall, LU is second in the GLVC with a rebounding average of 40.7.
 
SHUTDOWN DEFENSE:  The Blue Tigers have allowed opponents to shoot just .351, ranking LU ninth in NCAA Division II and second in the GLVC. Lincoln's scoring defense of 54.7 allowed points per game is second in the country behind fellow GLVC member McKendree (48.5). Lincoln is also 58th nationally in three-point defense (.269) and 10th in the country, as well as tops in the GLVC, in scoring margin (+25.3).
 
WE'LL TAKE THOSE FREE POINTS:  Lincoln has been excellent at the free throw line, shooting .848, the seventh-best percentage in the nation. The Blue Tigers average 22.3 free throws per game, rating them 19th in the country. Seven Blue Tigers have a free throw percentage of .750 or higher, including Malcolm Davis and Solomon Oraegbu, who are tied for first in the country with perfect free throw percentages (1.000). LU is second in the GLVC with 26.3 attempts per game.
 
TO THE MAX:  Max Ekono is picking up where he left off in 2024-25, averaging close to a double-double after a nine-point, nine-rebound night against Hannibal-LaGrange. For the season, Ekono is averaging 9.0 points and a team-best 8.3 rebounds while shooting .615 from the field. He also is shooting .600 from three-point range and .800 at the line.
 
THREE PARTY:  Lincoln has a three-point percentage of .377, the third-best in the GLVC and the 54th-best in NCAA Division II through the early part of the season. The Blue Tigers average 7.7 treys per night, the fifth-most in the league. Tyler Lucas and Robin Discamps are shooting .500 from beyond the arc, Max Ekono is shooting .600 and Enari Thomas is shooting .444.
 
FINE AT THE LINE:  Solomon Oraegbu has found a way to the free throw line, attempting 26 shots at the charity stripe, the third-most in the GLVC and the 45th-most in the country. Oraegbu has thus far not missed, making all 26 of those free throw attempts to lead the country with a perfect 1.000 percentage. Oraegbu's 26 makes rank him 14th in the nation and second in the GLVC.
 
GET YOUR TICKETS:  Lincoln is partnering up with Hometown Ticketing once again to sell tickets to all of LU's basketball games online in 2025-26. For more information, or to purchase single game or regular season tickets, visit www.LUBlueTigers.com/Tickets.
 
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 GLVC Network. Every LU home game will be broadcast through a new multi-camera system and can be seen at https://www.glvcsn.com/lincolnbluetigers.
 
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.
 
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:  Lincoln opens GLVC play at home on Saturday, Nov. 29 by hosting Southwest Baptist at 3:00 p.m. CST.