For the second straight season, the Lindenwood men's basketball team lost its season opener in a tournament on a neutral court. On Friday afternoon in Las Vegas, Nev., the Lions lost the first game of the NCAA Division II Vegas Showdown to St. Cloud State 65-58.

Things started off well for the Lions, connecting on their first three shots and taking an early 6-0 lead. But unfortunately for the Lindenwood it then surrendered the next 10 points and quickly trialed 10-6.

St. Cloud would push its first half lead up to as many as six. But a late push by the Lions in the first half cut the St. Cloud lead down to two heading into the locker room.
That two point deficit would be as close as the Lions would get for the rest of the contest. After cutting the lead to two just 55 seconds into the second half, St. Cloud quickly flexed its muscles and pushed its lead up to 11 with just over 12 minutes to play.

Even though the Lions trailed by double digits the team did not go down quietly. Lindenwood chipped away at the lead and had the game within four points and had the ball with 3:30 to go. Chanse Creekmur had a look at a three-pointer to try and get the Lions within one but the shot caromed off the rim as did Lindenwood's chance for a come from behind win. St. Cloud put the game away making all 10 of its free throws down the stretch.

Cory Arentsen played well for Lions scoring 13 points in his Lindenwood debut. Garrett Reeg led the team in scoring and rebounds with 14 points and seven rebounds. Creekmur chipped in with 11 points and Darris Smith scored seven.

The Lions did not shoot it well in their first game of the season shooting just 36 percent from the field and 24 percent from behind the arc. St. Cloud won the rebounding battle 40-36.

Lindenwood will be right back in action Saturday afternoon when they take on Concordia in Las Vegas.