The Missouri Southern Lions scored the first basket of the game against Lindenwood on Wednesday night and never gave the lead up to Lindenwood. Missouri Southern won a key MIAA matchup 79-66 in Joplin, Mo.

Missouri Southern's offense was clicking in the first half. The home team would lead by as many as 16 in the first half. But a Chanse Creekmur three with three seconds left got the Missouri Southern lead down to 13.

Things did not look good for Lindenwood at the beginning of the second half. Missouri Southern pushed its lead all the way up to 19 with just 14 minutes to play. But at that point Lindenwood's offense started to take over. The visitors went on a 19-2 run to get within two points with under 10 minutes to play.

Missouri Southern pushed the lead back up to five before Lindenwood again went on a run to get within one with 3:17 to play. But a missed jumper by Lindenwood and a two and a three by Missouri Southern put the visitors away.

Sam Mader led the way for Lindenwood with 13 points. Creekmur was second on the team with 12 points while Darris Smith chipped in with 11.

Missouri Southern shot 48 percent from the field compared to Lindenwood's 37 percent. Missouri Southern won the rebounding battle 45-34.

Lindenwood finishes the regular season with an overall record of 17-11 and 12-7 in MIAA play. Lindenwood will now wait to see if the team will have a first round bye in the MIAA Tournament or host a first round game next Monday at Hyland Arena.