Men's rugby outlasted Arkansas State 38-20 in a Mid-South Conference contest Saturday afternoon at Huckabee Field in Jonesboro, Arkansas. 
 
The Lions opened up with strong defense and hard runs from the forwards. Flanker Ayden Hurst capped off a nice series with the first try of the day.  After the score, the Red Wolves managed to grab a foothold in the match, with help from some uncharacteristic missed tackles from Lindenwood.  Arkansas State kept churning for 10 unanswered points. 
 
Just before halftime, the Lions found some focus, which led to a herculean run from Emmanuel Albert that ended with him over the try line. Flyhalf Andreas Livadaras converted to give Lindenwood a 12-10 advantage at the break. 
 
The second half started well for the Lions with number eight Tinashe Muchena barreling his way to pay dirt. A short time later, Albert continued his tremendous play and plunged in for his second score of the day.
 
Centers Nick Taylor and Tyren Al-Jiboori might have taken a couple of missteps in the first half, but their defense late in the game was relentless. Some of that pressure led to an errant ball bouncing in the Arkansas State try zone.  Captain Marnus Spangenberg jumped on it to score an opportunistic five-points. 
 
Unfortunately, Lions penalties started to mount in the latter stages of the half which allowed the Red Wolves to capitalize with two tries.  It looked like Arkansas State might challenge for the lead, but a bone-crunching tackle from Al-Jiboori completely stole the momentum away.  Wing Cael Hodgson sealed the win with a late try and halfback Evan Williams slotted a sideline conversion for the final margin.
 
Lindenwood improved to 16-1 overall and to 3-0 in conference play.  The Lions head back on the road for another Mid-South game against Clemson February 15.  The opening kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon at National Athletic Village at the Pier in Clemson, South Carolina.
 
In other action from Saturday, the Lindenwood and Arkansas State second XV squads took to the pitch with the Lions earning a 39-5 victory.    
 
The young Lindenwood backs started as soon as they took the field.  Wing Nathan Epplett found the try zone in the second minute and flyhalf Dylan Thompson followed suit 10 minutes later.  A period of play followed that was marked by penalties and poor continuity due to some ill-advised offloading, but strong defense from forwards Blake Knight, Tyler Stoltman, and Juan Mota Sanchez kept the Red Wolves at bay. 
 
Epplett continued his front-foot play and shrugged off several defenders.  He was ultimately rewarded with a second try just before halftime.  The back line lost some cohesion early in the second half as some reserves came on the field.  The defense was not affected, but it became harder for the Lions to string together phases on attack.  Number eight Skyler Mitchell helped the offense move forward with a long try.  Wing Jake Jacobson made his second conversion to give Lindenwood a 24-0 lead.
 
The Lindenwood defense had played 70 scoreless minutes, but the Arkansas State finally broke through for what proved to be their only try of the game.  The Lions settled right back into the game plan and finished with tries through hooker Tyler Stoltman and Mitchell.
 
The next action for the Lindenwood second XV is scheduled for February 29 at home against the University of Illinois.  The opening kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. that Saturday afternoon at the Lindenwood Track in St. Charles, Missouri.