Box Score On a night when the Lindenwood men's basketball team celebrated the career of its two seniors, Kramer Soderberg and Michael Simmons, the Lions beat rival McKendree 93-82 Monday night at the Hyland Arena.

Soderberg did not let the nearly 1,500 fans down as he went off for 30 points. He capped of his night with a long distance three as time was expiring to get him to the 30 point mark. He also compiled six assists in his last home game as a Lion.

The contest was a nip and tuck affair from the opening tip. The two teams traded the lead six times in the opening 10 minutes. Lindenwood started to gain some momentum going on a 12-4 run to take an eight point advantage. The lead got to 10 with just under two minutes to play, but the Bearcats closed out the half with three consecutive trips which resulted in three points each to trim the lead to five.

As the second half started, it looked like the home team was going to take control of the game. On four separate occasions in the opening 12 minutes the Lions pushed the lead to double-digits. But every time, McKendree answered with points and did not let the game get away.

With the lead down to four, the Lions finally grabbed a hold of the momentum and did not let it go. At the four minute mark, Lindenwood went on a 24-14 run to close out the Bearcats for the second time this season.

Lindenwood shot lights out on Monday night and dominated the boards. The Lions shot 63 percent from the field, 47 percent from behind the three-point line, and 90 percent from the charity stripe. Lindenwood outrebounded the Bearcats 32-20.

Soderberg led the team with 30 points, and three out of the four remaining starters all scored in double-figures. Alex Bazzell poured in 16 to go along with six rebounds, and six assists. Garrett Reeg scored 18 and Efkan Eren chipped in with 11. The Lions other senior, Michael Simmons, got his first career start and grabbed two rebounds.

With the win Lindenwood closes out its regular season with a record 26-3 including an 11-1 home record. The Lions will have a week and a half off until they travel to Spearfish, S.D. for the Independent National Championships Mar. 1-3.