ST. JOSEPH – For the first time in 17 years, the Missouri Western men's basketball team (12-11, 8-4) has won five consecutive MIAA games with an 81-71 victory over Lincoln (8-13, 5-7) Wednesday night. The Griffons improved to 8-0 in the MWSU Fieldhouse, matched last season's win total and their 8-4 conference record is the best for the program since 2010.It looked to be a tight contest at first with five lead changes and four ties early in the first half. Lincoln led 22-21 with 10:22 left in the first before the Griffons went on a 7-1 run and never allowed the Blue Tigers to regain the lead. Lincoln tied the game at 28 before MWSU went on a 14-3 run to build an 11-point lead and eventually take a 45-35 lead to the break. Both teams scored 36 second half points, but MWSU limited Lincoln to 29% shooting in the half.The win avenged an 89-66 loss at Lincoln earlier this season and was Missouri Western's first home win against the Blue Tigers since 2016.NOTABLES- Led by JaRon Thames' team-high 21 points, the Griffon bench contributed 38 of Missouri Western's points, outscoring the Lincoln bench by 28.- Thames was 8 of 12 from the field and recorded his fifth straight double digit scoring effort.- Missouri Western shot 51.7% (15-29) from the field in the first half and went 6 of 12 from 3-point range before the break.- It was the fifth straight game the Griffons were even or plus on assist to turnover ratio with 12 each.- Will Eames shot 4 of 7 from the field for 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds after leaving the Newman game with an injury.- Tyus Millhollin went 7 for 7 at the free throw line and made a pair of 3-pointers for 13 points.- Tyrell Carroll had a team-high six assists and three steals.UP NEXTThe Griffons will try to match the 2019-10 team's streak of nine-straight home wins when they host Central Missouri (9-11, 4-7) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the MWSU Fieldhouse. MWSU won the first meeting this year, 67-63 in Warrensburg.--- MWSU Athletics ---

Griffons defeat Lincoln 81-71 for fifth straight victory