Lincoln men hold off McKendree

QUINCY, Ill. - The Lincoln Blue Tigers closed the game strong.

The Blue Tigers made 5-of-6 free throws in the last 1:28 of the game Sunday afternoon and posted a 73-69 victory against McKendree in the QU Subway Holiday Classic.

L'Kielynn Taylor hit one of two from the line with 1:28 remaining to give Lincoln a 69-67 lead. After an exchange of turnovers, followed by a missed shot by McKendree that was rebounded by Taylor, who then hit two free throws with :21 left to make it 71-67.

McKendree got to within two with a layup with :08 left before Amariontez Ivory converted on two foul shots with :05 remaining to seal the victory.

Ivory finished with a team-high 22 points. Taylor totaled nine points and nine rebounds for the Blue Tigers.

The two teams traded points for much of the first half, with the biggest led for either squad being three until the final two minutes. Lincoln outscored McKendree 5-2 late in the half to take a 51-45 advantage into intermission.

The Blue Tigers opened the second half on a 12-2 run to push its lead to 16 at 63-47. McKendree then went on a 15-3 run to cut Lincoln's lead to 66-62 with just more than six minutes to play. McKendree got to within a point on one occasion, but never tied it or took the lead.

Ni'Seah Rigmaiden added 16 points for Lincoln. Grant Olsson chipped in with 12, while Jonell Burton scored 10.

Nolan Gerling had 23 points to pace McKendree (4-6). Aliah Thomas and Nate Michael each added 17 points.

Lincoln (7-3), winners of three straight games, will close out 2018 at home Sunday, Dec. 30, against Culver-Stockton. The 2 p.m. game is the final non-MIAA Conference game for the Blue Tigers.