The Lindenwood men's basketball team fell in overtime to the Bearcats of McKendree, 121-116, on Thursday evening. The team's record is now 8-11, with a 2-9 spot in the GLVC.

GAME OVERVIEW
The Lions roared out to a 17-point lead in the first half, highlighted by a 12-0 scoring run. The team led, 54-40, going into halftime, in a half that saw them shoot 60 percent from the field and 58.3 percent from beyond three. The Bearcats shot under 50 percent from the field in the first half, hitting on just two of nine three point shots. Vijay Blackmon led the team with 23 points going into halftime, to pair with four assists and two rebounds.

McKendree dominated offensively in the second half, shooting 75 percent on three-pointers, and 67.6 percent from the field on 34 shots. Logan Kohrmann led all scorers in the second half with 21 points, while hitting on 3-4 threes. The Lions shooting percentages fell to 53.1 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the three in the second half. After trailing by three within the final seconds of the half, Blackmon drilled a three to send the game into overtime.

After scoring first in overtime, on a TJ Crockett and-one, the Lions held onto a lead for the first two minutes of the period. McKendree would take the lead back on two-consecutive three point shots and never look back, winning 121-116.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Blackmon led Lindenwood in scoring, with 39 points, setting a new career-high for the junior.
• Blackmon has now scored at least 31 points in two straight games, and has scored 70 points in his last two games.
• Blackmon hit 12-13 free throws, both of which set new career-bests. He also hit on five of eight three point attempts.
• Crockett also reached the 30-point plateau, which marks the third time that he has done so this season. Crockett's season-high of 42 points came earlier in the season against Florida Southern.
• Crockett also led the Lions in rebounds, with seven, for his sixth game of the season in which he led the team in rebounding.
• Crockett has five games with at least seven rebounds on the season.
• Bhinder finished with five assists, the 10th time his season he has led the team in assists in a game.

QUOTEABLE
"Hard one to swallow for our team tonight, no one wants to win more than the group that we have," said Head Coach Kyle Gerdeman. "They continue to pour everything that they have into each day, and I appreciate it. The big prize is always a win. We will continue to work and get ready for the next game on Saturday."

UP NEXT
Lindenwood returns will stay at home to face No. 20 Southern Indiana on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 3:00 p.m.