DANVILLE — Lincoln coach Kirk Whiteman told his team when the year started, they were going to take a journey this season.

Ultimately, the final goal for the Lynx was to make the NJCAA Division II National Tournament and play for a title.

Lincoln, who took third in the NJCAA Division II tournament a year ago, took the final two steps up the mountain this weekend.

The Lynx secured the national title with a 71-60 victory over the Cincinnati State Surge on Saturday night at the Mary Miller Gymnasium.

“It’s elation and it’s pride,’’ said Whiteman while wearing a national championship hat and t-shirt. “This group of guys put it all together.’’

Sophomore Chris Ware was basically the only player returning from last year’s third-place team.

He had eight points and six rebounds in the title game, but it was his defense on Cincinnati State’s Rayshawn Goins that really made the difference for the Lynx (30-6).

“He scored six straight points on me to start the second half and I knew I better pick it up,’’ said Ware, as he held Goins to just one basket in the final 17 minutes. “I figured out that his best move was going to the middle.’’

Goins, who was averaging 18.3 points and 13.3 rebounds a game entering the championship, still managed to get 15 points and 10 rebounds, but he had to work for those numbers.

“Lincoln did a good job of bodying him with the big fellow (Ware) and then they had Turpin (6-11) behind him and while also dropping a guard into his lap.

“It was tough for him to operate. And, we just didn’t make shots.’’

Cincinnati State (27-9) was held to a tournament-low 60 points as the Surge were just 3-of-15 behind the 3-point arc and they were outrebounded by the Lynx, 37-21.

“They just really kicked out butts on the glass,’’ Cincinnati State coach Andre Tate said. “We just didn’t play as well as we could have and you have to give Lincoln credit for that.’’

One of those all-important offensive rebounds for Lincoln came with about seven minutes left in the contest.

Louie Schonauer, the Fred Pohlman Sportsmanship Award winner, missed a 3-pointer but the Lynx got the rebound and found Kenyon Smith for a wide-open 3.

It gave Lincoln a 58-57 lead and Cincinnati State would not get closer.

Tournament MVP Kiel Turpin put the finishing touches on the title with his third dunk of the game and his third block in the final minutes.

“I don’t know what to say,’’ Turpin said. “I’m completely shocked.’’

Turpin had a game-high 21 points, while DeMarius Sumrell, an all-tournament selection, finished with 18 and Smith, who also made the all-tournament, team had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Illya Glover was the leading scorer for Cincinnati State with 17 points. Goins and James Miller were selected for the all-tournament team.

Tourney honors

MVP — Kiel Turpin, fr., Lincoln

Jack Cistriano Award (Best small man) — Harold Washington, fr., Cecil

Fred Pohlman Sportsmanship Award — Louie Schonauer, fr., Lincoln

All-Tournament Team — Jeremy Atkinson, fr., Louisburg; Rayshawn Goins, so., Cincinnati State; Adam Johnson, fr., Cecil; James Millen, so., Cincinnati State; JaMier Morris, so.; Pima; Rico Pierrevilus, so., Lewis & Clark; Kenyon Smith, fr., Lincol; Jake Stark, so., St. Clair County; DeMarius Sumrell, fr., Lincoln; Paul Tometich, so., Kishwaukee; Brian Ward, so.; Brown Mackie; Jarvin Williams, so., Kirkwood.