The Lindenwood men's basketball team travelled to Jefferson City, Mo. on Saturday afternoon and beat the Lincoln Blue Tigers 77-67.

The Blue Tigers got things going early, starting the contest on a 10-4 run to take the early six-point advantage. Lincoln would push its lead up to as many as eight in the opening half. As soon as the Lions went down by eight the team answered with a 12-2 run of its own to take the lead. Lindenwood continued to add to its lead as the first half came to a close and headed into the locker room leading by seven.

As good as the first half was the second was just as good. Lindenwood would continue to lead to start the half until the Blue Tigers started to chip away. In the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Blue Tigers would get within two points on three separate occasions.

Then with 9:19 to go in the contest, Lincoln finally regained the lead. The Blue Tigers would then push the lead up to four but that was the last time the home team would see the lead. Darris Smith decided to go ahead and take the game over.

With the Lions trailing by four Smith hit a three, then a jump shot, and another three to put the Lions up four. Then after free throws by Sam Mader and Cory Arentsen, Smith connected on another three to push the lead up to 10.

Lindenwood would close out the game from the charity stripe going eight-for-eight in the final 90 seconds.

Three out of the Lions five starters scored in double figures with Smith leading the way with 19. Arentsen was second on the team with 16 and Mader chipped in with 11. Garrett Reeg also scored in double figures with 10.

Lindenwood shot 45 percent from the field and 32 percent from behind the three-point line. The Lions also made 87 percent of their free throw attempts.

With the win the Lions improved their record to 17-10 overall and 12-6 in MIAA play. Lindenwood will close out the regular season on Wednesday night in Joplin, Mo. against Missouri Southern.