BOLIVAR, Mo. - The Ouachita Tigers fell to 0-2 on Saturday, in a 75-74 loss to the Lincoln University Blue Tigers. The Tigers have lost both games this season on a go-ahead field goal by their opponent in the final thirty seconds of the game.
In a game that featured four ties and eight lead changes, Ouachita posted a field-goal percentage of 43.4 percent and was 17-18 from the free-throw line. The Tigers limited Lincoln to only 40 percent from the field, including 5-22 from three-point range. Lincoln controlled the paint, however, outscoring Ouachita 28-18 inside, as well as recording six more points off turnovers.
The Tigers held their largest lead of eight with 14:23 to play in the first half after a 13-5 run to start the game. The run included five points from freshman Mahlon Martin. Ouachita maintained its lead until late in the first half until the Blue Tigers slowly climbed back and tied the game at 20 with seven minutes to go in the half. Lincoln then took the lead, and the half came to a close with the score tied 35-35.
Martin led the Tigers with 10 points in the half, and David Berete had six points and a game-high six rebounds.
In the second half, neither team claimed a lead of more than five, with Lincoln's largest lead of five coming with 18:37 left in the contest. Later in the half, Lincoln took a 73-71 lead with 1:12 to play, but Lakee Westbrook immediately responded for Ouachita with a layup and free-throw to complete the three-point play and give the Tigers a 74-71 lead with less than a minute to go.
A foul by Ouachita's Justin McCleary put Lincoln at the free-throw line but the Blue Tigers could not convert on either shots. Lincoln was able to keep the possession, however, with an offensive rebound, and Hunter Yoakum put Lincoln ahead 75-74 with a layup with 23 seconds left. Lincoln then forced a turnover to win the game.
Yoakum proved to be the difference for Lincoln, scoring 19 points in the second half and 27 overall. Westbrook and McCleary each contributed 10 points in the second half for the Tigers, as the duo was 7-13 from the field in the half.
Martin and Westbrook led the Tigers with 15 points each for the game, followed by Tirrell Brown with 12 and McCleary with 10. Berete had eight points and a team-high nine boards.
The Tigers will stay on the road for their next contest, traveling to Shawnee, Okla. on Thursday, Nov. 19 to take on Oklahoma Baptist. The game will be played at 7:30 p.m., after the women's game at 5:30.
