ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, BLUE TIGERS THROW DOWN GAUNTLET
Lincoln University fought off a mighty charge down the stretch by Dallas Baptist University in Jason Gymnasium on Jan. 29 to earn their first Heartland Conference win of the season, 79-69.
The victory ends a 13-game losing streak, the Blue Tigers longest since a 12-game skid from Dec. 6, 2003 until Feb. 5, 2004. The win was one of firsts for Lincoln University; it was their first win over an NCAA Division II school at home this season and first Heartland Conference victory at home since a Feb. 17, 2006 win over Incarnate Word.
The Blue Tigers are 4-13 overall and 1-5 in the Heartland Conference. Heading into the second half of the conference schedule, Lincoln University sits in seventh place in the conference. Dallas Baptist drops to 6-12 and 3-4.
Lincoln University and Dallas Baptist University played a nip and tuck first half. The two teams were tied four times in the opening half and the lead was swapped six times. The Patriots took their largest lead of the game with 8:32 left in the half, 21-16. A 3-point shot by Ralph Mata at the 2:00 mark of the half completed a 17-6 blast to give the Blue Tigers a 33-27 advantage, their most sizable advantage of the half. Lincoln University went to halftime on top 33-29.
The Blue Tigers committed 13 first half turnovers, which the Patriots turned into seven points. Lincoln University shot 47.8 percent (11-of-23) from the field and 45.5 percent (5-of-11) from 3-point range in the beginning half. The home team also out-rebounded the visitors 17-13.
Dallas Baptist hung around for the first 6:46 of the second half, as they were down only four, 43-39. Lincoln University began to run away with the game in a 24-7 burst to open their biggest lead of the game, 67-46 with 5:54 to play. During that span the Patriots gave the basketball away six times and the Blue Tigers scored four points off those turnovers. The Blue Tigers tried to coast to victory, but the Patriots never quit. Dallas Baptist closed out the game by outscoring Lincoln University 23-12 in the last 5:02 of action, but got no closer than the final 10 points, 79-69.
Ralph Mata tied career-highs in points (25), assists (8) and steals (6) to lead the Blue Tigers. Brandon Harris scored 16 points, one off tying his career-high. Jared Boone added 14 points for the victors. Mata had a career and game-high seven rebounds, besting his previous high of six in the Jan. 20 game at Montana State University-Billings.
The Blue Tigers finished the game 8-of-20 (40 percent) from 3-point range. Lincoln University out-rebounded Dallas Baptist 39-33. The Blue Tigers are 3-3 when they either tie or out-rebound their opponent.
Nick Michels led Dallas Baptist with 14 points and Eddie Gloviak tossed in 12.
The Patriots forced the Blue Tigers into one of their worst nights of the season handling the basketball. Lincoln University committed 22 turnovers. It is the fifth time this season the Blue Tigers have given the ball away 20 or more times and first occurrence since Jan. 3. Dallas Baptist scored 21 points off the 22 turnovers. Lincoln University added 16 points to their score off 20 Dallas Baptist turnovers. The Blue Tigers are 1-4 when they commit 20 or more turnovers.
The Patriots bench players outscored the Blue Tigers bench 31-9. Lincoln University held an 8-2 advantage on points scored in the paint. Dallas Baptist outscored Lincoln University 10-9 on second chance points.
The Blue Tigers try to begin a winning streak on Feb. 2 when they host the Yellowjackets of Montana State University-Billings at 7:30 p.m. in Jason Gymnasium.
