Richardson Scores 29 as Lincoln Wins on Thursday, 71-63
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – DJ Richardson led all scorers with 29 points as the Lincoln men’s basketball team defeated Emporia State, 71-63, in a closely contested game on Thursday night (Jan. 11).
In a game that featured seven lead changes and eight ties, the Blue Tigers ended up having the better shooting night, as LU shot .700 from the floor and .800 from three-point range in the second half. For the contest, Lincoln (10-4, 5-3 MIAA) shot .563 overall, .692 from long distance and .889 at the free throw line. Individually, Richardson, who also grabbed four rebounds and dished three assists, shot 11-for-16 overall, 3-for-3 from three-point land and 4-for-5 at the line.
Franck Yetna led LU with eight rebounds and chipped in 14 points to go with two steals and a block. Sam Rautins, meanwhile, came off the bench to score 11 points, including two free throws in the final seconds that sealed the win for the Blue Tigers.
Lincoln led 35-33 at halftime, but Emporia State (11-5, 4-4 MIAA) stormed back to take a five-point lead with 14:36 remaining. Elijah Farr, who had five points and two blocks, hit a layup and Richardson followed with a bucket to bring the Blue Tigers back within one. With just over 10 minutes remaining, Farr drained a three to make the score 48-46 in favor of the Blue Tigers, but the Hornets tied the game on a pair of free throws. Emporia State ended up going to the line 20 times, making 15 free throws.
The score would end up being tied three more times afterwards before Rautins hit back-to-back three-pointers, the second coming just before the shot clock expired. A three from Richardson later made it a 65-56 affair in favor of the Blue Tigers with 3:41 to play, and Lincoln only allowed the Hornets to score seven more points the rest of the way.
Jose Roberto Tanchyn had six rebounds to go with two points, a pair of steals, a block and an assist. Tyvin Garrison contributed six points, two boards and an assist to the winning effort while Tyson Robinson dished two assists and recorded a takeaway. Trey Boston provided two points, five rebounds, an assist and a steal, and Jamar Madge, Jr. closed the scoring with two points.
Lincoln will remain at home to host Washburn on Saturday (Jan. 13) at 3:00 p.m. CST.
