Box Score The Lincoln Blue Tigers won their first conference game of the season on Thursday night after hitting a three-pointer with 14 seconds left in the game to beat the Lindenwood men's basketball team 74-73 in Jefferson City, Mo. The Lions led for most of the game but could not close out Lincoln late in the contest.

It didn't take Lindenwood long to jump out to a big early lead. The Lions started the game with a 23-13 run and pushed the lead up to as many as 11 in the first half. Lincoln was able to claw back into the game late in the first half though.

After letting the Lions put an 11-point lead on them, the Blue Tigers went on a 12-4 run to get within two. Lindenwood would then score the first halves final four points to take a six point advantage into the locker room.

The second half started out quickly for the home team. Lincoln jumped out to a 13-6 run to take its first lead since the very early going of the first half. The teams traded the lead back-and-forth over the middle portion of the second half.

At the 6:20 mark, Lindenwood went on a 6-2 run to take a five point advantage with 4:21 to play. Quickly the Blue Tigers came back. Lincoln scored the game's next six points to retake the lead with 2:58 to play.

The Lions then regained the lead 70-69 on a layup by Marcus Hinton with 2:14 to play. Lincoln took its turn with the lead again after a pair of free throws.

Darris Smith was fouled on the Lions next possession but hit just one of two free throws and the game was tied. The Blue Tigers missed a three on the next possession but Hinton turned the ball over and gave the ball back to Lincoln.

The Blue Tigers would let the game clock dwindle down and hit a three with 16 seconds to go to take a three point lead. The home team would hold on for its first conference win of the season.

The charity stripe was not to kind to the Lions. Lindenwood shot just 57 percent from the free throw line. The Lions shot 46 percent from the field and dominated the glass 42-23 including a 18-4 margin on the offensive glass.

Two Lions recorded double-doubles led by Hinton who grabbed 11 rebounds and scored 20 points. Garrett Reeg also recorded 19 points and 10 rebounds. Tyler Ressel also scored in double digits with 12 points.

The loss drops Lindenwood to 9-14 overall and 4-9 in MIAA play. The Lions will be right back in action on Saturday afternoon at home against Missouri Western.