Late comeback falls short as MSSU men lost 75-72 to Lincoln

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Despite a furious comeback in the second half that saw the Missouri Southern men's basketball team tie the game, the Lions couldn't complete the comeback and fell 75-72 to Lincoln University on Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Southern (10-7, 4-4 MIAA) was led by 24 points and five assists from CJ Carr. Elyjah Clark scored 19 and added six rebounds and two blocks as he hit four three pointers on the night. JJ Cratit had nine points and five rebounds, while Lawrence Brown had six points and seven boards.

Lincoln (12-5, 5-3 MIAA) had four score in double-figures led by 20 points from Tacourrus Mattox and 19 from Anthony Virdure.

Lincoln got out to a 14-7 lead with 13:18 to go in the half, but a 6-0 run by the Lions cut the lead to just one (14-13) capped by a layup from Brown. The Lincoln lead reached ten (29-19) after a three from Maurice Mason, but the Lions went on a 9-2 run and got within three (31-28) after a pair of freebies from Clark.

A 9-0 run by the Blue Tigers, however, sent the Lions into the locker room, down 40-28 at the break.

Southern got to within eight points om multiple occasions in the first ten minutes of the second half, but a three from Clark with 6:45 left cut the lead to seven (64-57) and a jumper from Carr made the score 64-59 the next trip down.

A free throw from Carr and a three from Clark cut the lead to just four (67-63) with 4:30 to go. A 7-0 run by the Lions, capped by a layup from Frisbie with 2:16 left tied the game at 70, but the Blue Tigers scored five of the final seven points to secure the win.

The Lions shot 46 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Blue Tigers 40-31. Southern held a 13-8 advantage in second-chance points on the afternoon.

This is the first loss to Lincoln since December 1, 2000 as Southern had won 13 in a row and 16 of the last 17 against the Blue Tigers.

The Lions will be back in action on January 19 when Southern travels to Topeka to take on Washburn University. Tip off from Lee Arena is slated for 7:30 pm.