Men: 10-5 in MIAA play

game and that’s what we have been challenging them to do,” Drew said.

The biggest lead of the first half came at 13-5 after Stapleton capped off a 5-0 run by himself with a floater, but Missouri Southern quickly scored six straight to move within two.

Lincoln stretched its lead back out to 20-13 before the Lions had their way down the stretch before intermission.

Missouri Southern went on a 13-4 run — scoring the final eight points of the half — and the Lions were able to take their only lead of the opening 20 minutes into the locker room at 26-24.

“We just had to keep our heads,” Witt said. “Keep composure, we have an older team, older guys. We knew we had been here before, this ain’t nothing we haven’t practiced or seen in a game. We work on this, so we went in level-headed and came back out and executed.”

Four players reached double figures in scoring for Lincoln (14-5, 10-5 MIAA), led by Stapleton’s double-double of 24 points and 12 boards. Witt also picked up a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, Richardson finished with 16 points and Sam Rautins ended with 13 following a 3-point barrage at the end of the game.

Avery Taggart led the way for Missouri Southern (14-8, 10-6) with 13 points.

The Blue Tigers return to action at 3:30 p.m. Saturday against Pittsburg State at Jason Gym.