GAME OVERVIEW
The Lindenwood men's basketball team (9-7, 2-2 MIAA) suffered a 85-76 loss to the Pittsburg State Gorillas on Saturday afternoon from Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo. Brad Newman became the 13th player in program history to reach the 1,000-point plateau, finishing the game 18 points.

 The two teams engaged in back-and-forth play to open the first half, with the lead being tied a total of six times during the first 11:32 of play. With the score knotted at 30-30, with under eight minutes remaining in the half, the Gorillas took a three-point lead which they did not relinquish before halftime. The visiting Gorillas entered halftime with a five-point lead, 46-41.

It took Lindenwood 6:21 of play to tie the score in the second half, but a Chandler Diekvoss layup with 13:39 did just that. Just 53 seconds later, Newman connected on a three-pointer to send the Lions ahead by three points. Lindenwood extended its lead to as many five points, before Pittsburg State pulled even at 68-68 with 6:54 remaining in the game.

The Gorillas closed out the final minutes on a 17-8 run, bringing the game to its final score of 85-76.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Diekvoss led all scorers with 25 points (9-of-16 FG), his sixth game of at least 20 points this season.
- Diekvoss added a game-high 11 rebounds as he picked up his third double-double of the year.
- Newman entered the game needing just two points to join the 1,000-point club, and connected on his first field goal, a three-pointer, just 47 seconds into the game.
- Newman finished the afternoon with 18 points (7-of-18 FG, 4-of-9 3PFG).
- Luka Radosevic established a new single-game career-high in points scored with 14. Radosevic was 5-of-9 from the field, including four makes from three-point range.
- Adam Pohlman scored in double-figures, totaling 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting.
- As a team, the Lions shot 42.0 percent from the field (29-69), including 40.0 percent from three-point territory (12-of-30).
- Lindenwood lost the rebounding battle, 38-33, but did grab 11 offensive rebounds.

QUOTABLE
Head Coach Lance Randall
"That is a great offensive team," said Randall. "I loved how we battled. Foul trouble and too many free throws in the first half for Pitt State was a problem. We missed too many free throws and the free-throw disparity in general was a problem tonight for certain. We had all the momentum in the second half and regained the lead but some crucial offensive rebounds and mental mistakes in subsequent possessions really put Pitt State back in control. Everyone has to show up locked in and contribute on game day in the MIAA. We got great competitive efforts from most, but not all. You have to win the physical and mental battles in the paint and on the floor.  The toughest teams make the rules. Today Pitt State beat us to the ball at crucial moments."

UP NEXT
Lindenwood will return to action next Saturday as it concludes a four-game homestand against MIAA foe, Lincoln. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.