Despite holding the lead from the beginning, it took some dramatic play down the stretch for the Lions to defeat the University of Illinois 13-12 at the Lindenwood Billiards Arena Saturday afternoon.

After 24 total matches in singles and scotch doubles, the score was knotted at 12.  Di Jiang executed the shot of the day to help secure the final point and the victory for Lindenwood. 

Drake Niepoetter was perfect in his play, winning two singles matches and his scotch doubles match with Jiang for a total of 2.5 points.  Chris Salvo and Prem Karki earned two points each to help pace the Lions, who improved to 5-4 on the season.

After some down time, they will travel to Urbana-Champaign, Ill., for a rematch against the Illini on April 18.  The opening break is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Illinois Memorial Union. 
 

Lindenwood vs. Illinois
Drake Niepoetter	2.5
Chris Salvo	2.0
Prem Karki	2.0
Di Jiang	1.5
Bibhor Shrestha	1.0
Carly Fristoe	1.0
Tessa Brown	1.0
Jaydan Hergott	1.0
Robert Daly	1.0
Kelly Zahn	0.0
Total	13