Box Score The Lindenwood men's basketball team shot over 64 percent against the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers on Friday night but it wasn't enough as the Lions fell 98-96. Darris Smith paced Lindenwood with 31 points but the team fell to 1-2 in conference play. Both teams traded the lead 19 times with the score also being tied 14 times.

The Lions held the lead for most of the opening half and headed into the locker room leading by two. Nebraska-Kearney came out of the locker room and would not let the Lions win on its home court.

Numerous times in the final half it looked like Lindenwood would take over. With just over seven minutes left to play in the game Smith would connect on and one to give the visitors a seven point lead. The Lopers would battle back within one but right back came the Lions to extend the lead back up to six.

The home team once again battled back and tied the score up at 91 with two minutes to play. As the clock rolled under a minute Lindenwood took a one point lead with just 49 seconds to play. But unfortunately for the Lions the offense could not put the game away and the Lopers offense took advantage.

Tyler Shields hits a three with 37 seconds left to give the Lopers a two-point lead. The two-point defecit would be as close as the Lions would get.

Smith led the team with his 31 points which was a career-high. Tyler Ressel scored 19 points while Garret Reeg and Brandon Marquardt each scored 13.

The loss drops the Lions to 6-7 on the season and 1-2 in conference play. Lindenwood will have just one day off until the Lions travel to Washburn for another conference road game.