Missouri State Routs Lincoln 88-60
Adrej Acimovic scored 24 points as Missouri State opened its season with an exhibition win over Lincoln in Springfield.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Basketball
Missouri State defeated Lincoln 88-60 at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield, improving to 1-0. Missouri State led 49-26 at halftime after a 12-0 run.
Why it matters
The lopsided exhibition result gives Missouri State an early statement win to open its season. Lincoln, which opens its own season next Tuesday, showed scoring from Don Coats in the loss.
Adrej Acimovic shot 9-of-16 for 24 points and Melakih Cunningham added 19 for Missouri State, while Don Coats hit 6-of-7 for 14 points for Lincoln. The exhibition result leaves both teams' full-season efficiency unmeasured.
The players
Missouri State
Missouri State is a public university in Springfield, Missouri, whose athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Missouri Valley Conference.
Lincoln University
Lincoln University is a public historically Black university in Jefferson City, Missouri, and its athletic teams compete in NCAA Division II.
The details
Missouri State went on a 12-0 run to take a 30-19 lead with 7:08 left in the first half after Lincoln had led briefly late in the half. The Bears pulled away after the break, outscoring Lincoln 36-28 once the second half was underway.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Missouri State defeats Lincoln 88-60 at Great Southern Bank Arena.
Next Tuesday: Lincoln opens its season at 7 p.m. against Maharishi International at Jason Gym.
Season Trajectory
The result matters less for standings than for early roster signals, since exhibition games reveal rotation depth before regular-season play begins. Missouri State's 1-0 start sets a baseline for a Missouri Valley Conference season, while Lincoln's opener next week will show whether its roster can match the scoring it showed in this game.
Fantasy and roster watchers should note Adrej Acimovic's 24-point output and Melakih Cunningham's 19 for Missouri State as early indicators of scoring roles. Lincoln's next game at Jason Gym gives a first look at how its rotation holds up in a regular-season opener.
The takeaway
An early exhibition result rarely settles a season, but it shows which players are carrying scoring loads before conference play. Watching how Lincoln's rotation performs in its opener next week will reveal more than this 28-point margin.
What happens next
Lincoln opens its season at 7 p.m. next Tuesday against Maharishi International at Jason Gym.
Further reading
Explore more Springfield basketball coverage for context on the local programs in this matchup.
