The Lindenwood men's basketball team lost the turnover battle and the game on Thursday night in Hays, Kan. Fort Hays State defeated the Lions by a 64-56 score.
 
The Lions turned the ball over 16 times, compared to just four for the Tigers. Fort Hays State took advantage by having 21 points off turnovers, compared to five for Lindenwood.
 
Nine of those turnovers came in the first half which helped Fort Hays State lead by as many as 12 points. Lindenwood cut into that deficit late in the half, but still trailed 29-22 at the break.
 
In the second half, the Lions could never catch up to Fort Hays State. Lindenwood got within two points on two occasions in the first eight minutes of the half, but could never get ahead. The two teams mostly traded baskets for the rest of the game. The Lions had one more run late, capped by a Cory Arentsen three-pointer that got Lindenwood within four at 60-56. Fort Hays made four free throws though in the final 69 seconds, and the Lions could not convert on their final three possessions.
 
The turnover difference cost the Lions on a night when they had another good defensive game against the top shooting team in the MIAA. Fort Hays State shot just 36.5 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from three-point range. The Tigers did go to the free-throw line 12 more times than the Lions, which led to an 11-point advantage for them at the charity stripe.
 
Arentsen finished with a team-high 14 points, followed by Zachary Biggs with eight points on four-of-four shooting from the field. Brad Newman led the team with six assists, and Stanislas Heili had team-highs with six rebounds and four blocks.
 
With the loss, Lindenwood drops to fourth place in the MIAA with an 11-8 record, and it is now 15-10 overall. The Lions will look to get back in the win column on Saturday with a trip to Nebraska-Kearney.