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Storyline
Lindenwood concludes its first half of the HAAC season this week with a pair of games. On Monday, the Lions conclude a three-game road trip with a contest at Benedictine. Saturday, Lindenwood starts a three-game homestand when it hosts William Jewell.
The Lions are facing two must win contests after dropping two straight last week. Both games this week are against opponents ahead of them in the conference standings. Lindenwood is currently in sixth place in the HAAC, two games out of an automatic bid to the national tournament.
The biggest keys for Lindenwood to turn its recent slump around is to wake up its offense and begin winning on the road. In the last two games, both road losses, the Lions averaged just over 50 points a game. The best way to get the offense going is to get to the charity stripe, as Lindenwood is 12-0 when attempting 21 or more free throws in a game.
Last Time Out
The Lions opened last week with one of the most dominating defensive halves in school history. Lindenwood held Avila to just 11 points in the first 20 minutes during a 69-52 Lions victory. The Eagles shot just 33.3 percent for the game, including 11.5 percent in the first half.
Joey Parker led the team with 18 points and five assists, while Brett Thompson had 13 points. Toriano Adams led the rebounding effort with nine boards.
The tables were turned a few nights later when it was the Lindenwood offense that couldn't get going in the first half, leading to a 68-43 loss to Central Methodist. The Lions made less than 30 percent of their field goals in the first period and only attempted six free throws for the game.
Lindenwood's post players, Thompson and Adams, were the only players with double-figure points, and Thompson had a team-high six rebounds.
On Saturday, Lindenwood lost to the defending HAAC Champions, MidAmerica Nazarene, by a 64-58 margin. Free throws were the difference, as the Pioneers took 12 more attempts and made six more shots.
Joey Parker had his best game as a Lion, scoring 27 points, including nine-of-13 shooting from the field, and dishing out seven assists. Brett Thompson had 14 points and a team-high five blocks, and Jerome Douglas had a team-high six rebounds.
Lions "D"
Lindenwood has one of the top defenses in the HAAC in 2009-10. The Lions are allowing just 64.6 points a game, which ranks 20th in the nation. The team is also in the top 25 nationally and second in the HAAC with a .408 field goal percentage defense.
In the last 13 games, Lindenwood has not allowed over 70 points. Five times, the Lions have held an opponent under 60.
Team Rebounding
Lindenwood leads the HAAC and is 23rd in the NAIA in rebounding margin with a +6.8 mark. In the last 11 games, the Lions have been outrebounded just three times, all losses.
Home Vs. Away
Lindenwood is 5-1 on the year at home and 3-0 on neutral courts. The Lions, however, are just 4-5 in away contests.
Over the last five games, two home wins and three roads losses, Lindenwood is shooting 50.0 percent at home and 37.8 percent on the road.
Free Throw Shooting
Free throw attempts continue to predict whether the Lions win or loss. Lindenwood is 12-0 when shooting 21 or more free throws and 0-6 when shooting 20 or less.
First Half Numbers
In every Lindenwood contest this season but one, the team winning at halftime has gone on to win the game. In the first 20 minutes, the Lions are outscoring their opponents by an average of 33.4-27.9.
Offensive Numbers
Lindenwood is 8-0 this season when scoring 70 or more points, and 7-0 when shooting 45 percent or better.
Parker's Points
Point guard Joey Parker has added scoring to his offensive contributions the last four games. In that span, he is averaging 16.8 points a game, shooting 56.1 percent from the field, and 50.0 percent from three-point range. He continues to dish out the ball as well, averaging 4.0 assists a game in those four games.
On the season, Parker leads the team in assists, and is second in points and steals. He ranks third in the HAAC with 3.8 assists a game.
10+ Points Streak
Brett Thompson has scored in double figures five straight games. In that span, he is averaging 13.8 points a game and is shooting 65.2 percent from the field. Defensively in those five games, he is averaging 3.3 blocks and 4.8 rebounds a game.
Last Year
Lindenwood won two close battles against Benedictine last year by scores of 74-70 and 63-60. In the first game, Toriano Adams had 20 points and 20 rebounds. In the second, Richard Rose had a team-high 17 points.
The Lions lost twice to William Jewell by margins of 85-71 and 84-61. Rose averaged 10.0 points for the two games.
HAAC Teams At Home
The top seven teams in the HAAC have been tough to beat at home, with those squads having a combined record of 19-7 (.731) on its home court. Among those teams, Lindenwood is tied for the least home game played with three.
Leading Rebounders
Toriano Adams will go head-to-head this week with the two players ahead of him in the HAAC rebounding race. Adams enters play this week with 9.9 rebounds a game. William Jewell's Nick Larson is pulling down 10.8 rebounds a game and Benedictine's Chris Bonham is averaging 10.2.
Scouting Benedictine
Benedictine enters Monday's game with wins in six out of its last eight games, including a 64-55 upset over HAAC leader Central Methodist next Saturday.
The Ravens are led by a defense that is among the top 25 in the NAIA in blocks, turnover margin, three-point field goal percentage defense, and steals.
The team's leading scorer is Jack Johnson who is averaging 14.5 points a game. Alex Miller and Chris Bonham also average double figures and Bonham is the team's leading rebounder and shot blocker.
Head coach of Benedictine is Joe Brickner. Brickner is in his 12th season as the head coach and has won 162 games.
Scouting William Jewell
William Jewell is another squad on a winning roll, as it has won six out of its last seven games. The one loss was against current HAAC leader Central Methodist. The Cardinals are 4-1 on the road in HAAC play.
The Cardinals are averaging 71.4 points a game and are allowing 66.8. Offensively, the team is in the top five in the NAIA in assist/turnover ratio and assists.
Nick Larson has been one of the HAAC's top players this season, averaging 20.1 points and 10.8 rebounds a game. Kyle Fisher is averaging 16.5 points and nearly five assists a game. Jonathan Benson is the third player in double figure scoring.
William Jewell is coached by Larry Holley. Holley has been at the school since 1979 and has won nearly 800 games.
Up Next
Lindenwood begins the second half of conference play with home games versus Culver-Stockton and Baker.
