Box Score The Lindenwood Lions basketball was hitting on all cylinders in the first half on Wednesday night against the Southwest Baptist Bearcats taking a 13-point lead into the half. But the Bearcats put together a massive comeback in the final 20 minutes and handed the Lions their third straight loss 71-69.

The game started out quickly for Lindenwood scoring the game's first 10 points. The Lions pushed the lead up to 12 with just over nine minutes to play in the opening half. Southwest Baptist chipped away at the deficit getting within six.

Leading by just six with over three minutes to play the Lions closed the half on an 11-4 run to take the lead into the break. Lindenwood dominate the first half shooting 54 percent from the field and over 63 percent from behind the arc. The Bearcats were on the other side of the spectrum making just one-of-12 three point attempts.

The second half was a different story for both teams. Southwest Baptist started the half scoring the first six of eight points to cut the Lions lead to seven. Quickly the home team came back pushing its lead back up to 12 with 14:09 to play.

Over the next nine minutes, the Bearcats put together a 21-7 run to give them their first lead of the night. The visitors pushed the lead to three with under five minutes to play.

Michael Boos tied the game up at 63 after converting on a layup and a free throw with 2:41 to play. Right back cam the Bearcats converting a three-point play of their own to retake the lead.

It was Brandon Marquardt's turn to hit a big shot for the Lions as he connected on a three from the corner to tie the score with 1:44 left on the clock.

Just 20 seconds later, Menas Stephens hit a jump a shot to put the visitors up by two. On Lindenwood's ensuing possession Darris Smith missed a jump shot but Boos grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. The junior made one-of-two from the charity strip and the Lions trailed by one with 1:01 to play.

The Bearcats missed a jumper on their next possession and Lindenwood grabbed the rebound. Tyler Ressel was then fouled and sent him to the line to try and give the Lions the lead. Ressel hit both his free throws and Lindenwood led by one with 31 seconds to play.

Southwest Baptist used the game clock to perfection and hit a three-pointer from the top of the key to give the visitors a two-point lead with 4.9 seconds to play. After taking a timeout to draw up a play the Lions were unable to score and fell to Southwest Baptist.

Lindenwood ended the night shooting 46 percent from the field and 50 percent from the three-point line. The Lions won the rebounding battle 36-33 but lost the turnover battle 11-9.

Boos led Lindenwood with 20 points while Smith chipped in with 15 and Ressel added 13. Garrett Reeg led the way on the glass with 10 rebounds.

The loss was the third straight for the Lions and dropped their overall record to 8-11 and 3-6 in MIAA play. Lindenwood will head back on the road Saturday afternoon when the team travels to Central Missouri.