GAME OVERVIEW
The Lindenwood men's basketball team (9-9, 2-4 MIAA) suffered an 80-71 loss against the Southwest Baptist Bearcats on Thursday evening from Bolivar, Mo. Despite trailing by as many as 11 points in the second half, the Lions rallied to have an opportunity to tie the game on their final possession, but were unable to get the tying bucket to fall.
 
Lindenwood shot just 38.7 percent from the field during the first half, connecting on only 12 of its 31 field-goal attempts. The Lions never led during the opening frame. On the other end of the court, Southwest Baptist shot 59.3 percent from the field during the first half, and carried a 42-34 edge into halftime.
 
The Bearcats extended their lead to as many as 11 points in the second half, and held a 60-49 lead with 10:14 remaining in regulation.
 
Less than two minutes after entering the game off of the bench for Lindenwood, TJ Crockett connected on a three-pointer that would spark the Lions on an 11-2 run over the next 2:33 of play. During that stretch, Crockett scored nine points on 3-of-3 shooting from three-point range. The Lions brought themselves within just two points of the home team.
 
After trading baskets for the next few minutes, the Lions took their first lead of the evening at 66-65 with 4:13 showing on the clock as Brad Newman hit consecutive free throws.
 
Southwest Baptist held a 73-71 lead with 26 seconds remaining in the game and the shot clock turned off for a Lindenwood offensive possession. In the closing seconds, Lindenwood's Chris King drove to the right side and had his game-tying layup rattle out of the rim.
 
The Bearcats subsequently knocked down a lengthy series of free throws to extend their lead to its final margin of 80-71.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Newman led Lindenwood in scoring with 21 points (7-of-16 FG, 7-of-7 FT), and was the only starter to reach double-digit points in the game.
- King added 16 points off the bench for Lindenwood, including four made three-pointers.
- Crockett's three made three-pointers were a season-high, as he finished the game with nine points in 11 minutes.
- Lindenwood was a perfect 11-of-11 from the free-throw line, but Southwest Baptist got to the free-throw line 30 times, making 23 of those attempts.
- The Lions lost the rebounding battle to the Bearcats, 35-29.

QUOTABLE
Head Coach Lance Randall
"That was very disappointing way to lose a game," said Randall. "Our guys did everything necessary to get this road win. Ultimately the free-throw disparity was a monster factor. I loved our heart and I loved our battle."
 
UP NEXT
Lindenwood will conclude its brief two-game road trip on Saturday afternoon from Warrensburg, Mo. The Lions will face the Central Missouri Mules at 2:00 p.m.