Box Score For the third consecutive year under Head Coach Brad Soderberg, the Lindenwood Lions basketball team will win at least 20 games after beating the McKendree Bearcats 78-71 on Wednesday night in Lebanon, Ill.

The story of the first half was about a Lindenwood run to start and a McKendree run to end the half. The Lions started off the game going on an 11-3 run jumping out to an early eight-point advantage.

Lindenwood continued to lead until late in the opening half when the Bearcats battled their way back into the contest. Over the final three minutes of the first half, McKendree went on an 11-3 run. Even though the Lions gave up a big run, they still headed into the locker room grasping to a one-point lead.

The final half was back-and-forth from the start. The two teams traded the lead six times in the first 10 minutes until the Lions went a 9-2 run to take a seven-point lead. Even though the Bearcats were trailing by seven, they did not go away.

With just over five minutes to play, McKendree hit threes on back-to-back possessions to cut the lead to 74-71. But that was as close as the home team could get as Lindenwood closed the game out from the free throw line.  

The Lions shot 46 percent from the field and a season-low 23 percent from behind the arc. Lindenwood outrebounded McKendree 44-37 and both teams turned the ball over 11 times.

Alex Bazzell led the way for the Lions scoring 17 points. Garrett Reeg and Cody Sorenson both recorded double-doubles. Sorenson scored 14 and grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds while Reeg scored 14 as well to go along with 10 rebounds.

With the win Lindenwood improves its record to 20-2. Up next for the Lions is a home game against Lincoln University on Saturday afternoon at the Hyland Arena.