The Lindenwood men's basketball team had its best shooting night of the season statistically but could not pull out a victory over the University of Missouri-St. Louis Tritons on Wednesday night in St. Charles. The Tritons travelled down Interstate 70 and beat the Lions 83-77.
 
Lindenwood shot the ball extremely well on Wednesday night, going 30-for-50 from the field, which was good for 60 percent. The Lions also shot 44 percent from behind the arc. The problem came on the defensive side of the floor. The Tritons also shot the ball well shooting over 55 percent from the field and 57 percent from behind the arc.
 
The Lions started the game on a 20-12 run and led by eight but the Tritons came right back with a 10-0 run to tie the score. The teams would trade the lead back-and-forth before the Tritons closed the half on a 9-2 run and went into the locker room leading by six.
 
Lindenwood tried to get back into the game to start the second half but UMSL answered every Lindenwood basket. Finally, the Lions were able to get a few stops on defense and went on a 10-0 which gave them a two point lead.
 
But just like the Tritons did all game they answered back and would regain the lead for good with just over seven minutes to play.
 
The Lions got within three with 28 seconds to go but could not get over the hump and fell to their crosstown rival.
 
Garrett Reeg and Darris Smith led the way for the Lions scoring 16 points each. Cory Arensten chipped in with 11 JL McIntosh came off the bench to score nine.
 
UMSL outrebounded the Lions 27-26 and the Tritons forced Lindenwood into 11 turnovers. Those 11 turnovers by the Lions led to 19 points for the Tritons.
 
The loss drops the Lions to 4-5 on the season. Lindenwood will take on another GLVC opponent Saturday afternoon in Maryville.