Box Score The Lindenwood men's basketball team moved into second place in the MIAA after beating the Northeastern State Riverhawks 78-66 in Tahlequa, Okla. on Thursday night.

Northeastern got off to a good start, taking a six-point lead 10 minutes into the game. But the home team's lead quickly evaporated as the Lions went on a quick 6-0 run to tie the score.

Unfortunately for the visitors as quickly as they tied the score, the home team took the lead back. The two teams traded 6-0 runs and the Riverhawks regained the six-point advantage with 6:45 to go in the opening half.

After the two teams traded runs, Lindenwood closed the half on fire. The Lions scored the final 19-of-22 points to take a 10-point lead into the locker room. Lindenwood went seven-for-10 shooting over the final four minutes to help propel the team to the halftime lead.

Northeastern State came out of the locker room making the proper adjustments. The Riverhawks went on a 17-7 run to tie the score at 48. With the game tied, it was the Lions turn to make adjustments.

 Lindenwood scored the next 11 points to regain a double digit advantage. After the Lions offense punched the Riverhawks, the home team could not recover. Over the final four minutes of the game, Northeastern State could only get within nine points and the Lions rolled to the victory.

Alex Bazzell and Brett Thompson led the way for Lindenwood. Bazzell led the team in scoring with 24, rebounds with seven, and assists with five. Thompson scored 18 points on seven-of-10 shooting and also grabbed six rebounds.

The Lions shot 51 percent from the field and 44 percent from behind the arc. Lindenwood outrebounded the Riverhawks 29-28 while also forcing the home team into 16 turnovers.

The win improved the Lions to 15-5 overall and 8-4 in conference play. Lindenwood will have just one day off as the team will take on Emporia State Saturday afternoon in Emporia, Kan.