HAYS - Fort Hays State held Lincoln to 28-percent shooting and 24 points in the second half and pulled away for an 84-67 victory Thursday at Gross Coliseum.
The Tigers (10-9, 10-9 MIAA) have won seven of their last nine and moved above 500 for the first time this season.
Lincoln (10-9, 10-9 MIAA) led by seven midway through the first half but a 14-4 run gave the Tigers a 32-29 lead which they built to five at halftime.
A Jared Vitztum three pushed the lead to 62-52 with 12 minutes to play. Lincoln would score seven unanswered over the next four and-a-half minutes to close within three but the Tigers responeded with a 9-2 run capped by another Vitztum three to push the lead back to 10.
Vitztum finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds for his NCAA II leading 11th double-double. Alvin Thompson hit all five of his three points attempts in the first half and scored 18. Quinton Rock added 14.
Quinton Drayton scored 19 to lead Lincoln who has lost five of their last seven.