It was another strong second half by the UMSL Tritons (4-1).

After netting 39 points in the first half, the Tritons went full-speed ahead for the final 20 minutes of action en route to their 80-72 win against the Lincoln Blue Tigers Tuesday evening at the Maryville Thanksgiving Classic.

Credit to Lincoln as the Blue Tigers would not fade quietly into the night.

Lincoln -- no matter the deficit -- kept plugging away, but the Tritons kept countering and extending their lead throughout the tilt.

The ebbs and flows continued throughout the game, as the Tritons and Blue Tigers paralleled an Ali-Frazier bout.

As soon as one landed a jab, the other countered with a shot of their own.

UMSL went up 14-13, and then rattled off a 9-0 run to create some separation. But the Blue Tigers weren't fazed.

The Tritons would keep scoring, keep extending, going up 10-point intervals, and authored a 16-11 run to close out the half, up 39-24.

In the second half, balance was key for the Tritons, as Jose Grubbs used perfect arc on his 3-pointer from the far wing to open the scoring.

UMSL led by as many as 14 points at two junctures midway through the half, but Lincoln responded in kind with small runs of its own.

Cutting the lead to 66-58, UMSL senior Shane Wissink sized up his shot and connected for the perimeter shot from the far wing, not far from where Grubbs hit his to open the second half.

A Lincoln turnover gave the Tritons an added opportunity as Yaakema Rose drove and delivered the floater from 10-feet out and the Tritons were off and running, up 73-60.

Timely possessions and shot selection helped the Tritons close out the game and secure their fourth win of the season.

UMSL is back on the court tomorrow at 3:15 p.m. as they battle East-West University.