The Lindenwood men's basketball team (7-7, 7-7 GLVC) took down Southwest Baptist (11-3, 11-3 GLVC) in a two-overtime thriller on Saturday, by a final score of 91-90 inside Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo.
 
GAME OVERVIEW
The Lions and Bearcats played even basketball for the first 10 minutes, as neither team could create more than a one-possession lead.  Southwest Baptist took a six-point lead at the 8:03 mark after a string of free throws.  Lindenwood battled back immediately, and Cameron Scales put the Lions back on top with his first of four three pointers with 6:21 to go in the half.
 
The two teams each registered a shooting percentage over 50 percent in the first 20 minutes of play, as the Bearcats had the upper hand at the break with a 41-39 lead.  Romelo Burrell was in the zone early, as he compiled 12 points on a highly-efficient 5-of-6 shooting from the field.  Devion Harris secured six defensive rebounds to lead all players in the first half.
 
Southwest Baptist held a five-point lead nearing the halfway point of the second half, but Brandon Trimble quickly flipped the momentum.  Trimble knocked down a jumper at the 14:27 mark, and tied the game at 46-46 with a big three-point shot just one minute later.  The game continued to go back-and-forth before TJ Crockett gave Lindenwood a 61-56 lead after a tough three-point play.  Southwest Baptist held a three-point lead with 43 second to go in regulation, but Crockett came through in the clutch as he tied the game at 67-67 with another three ball just 11 seconds later.  Lindenwood played strong defense on the final possession to force overtime.
 
Lindenwood played from behind for the majority of the first overtime period, but never went away.  Again, the Lions were down by one possession with 28 seconds remaining after a Bearcat free throw made it a 79-76 game.  Southwest Baptist missed the second free throw, which allowed Crockett to push the floor and find Trimble for a three-point bucket in the corner to send the game to a second overtime.
 
Southwest Baptist came out flying in the second overtime, and took a quick six-point lead.  Lindenwood clawed back to tie the game with 1:30 to go, but the Bearcats built their lead back to three with 1:13 remaining.  Crockett scored a quick bucket with 59 seconds remaining, and the defense played great to provide the Lions with one last chance.  In the final five seconds, the Lions missed two attempts before Kevin Caldwell Jr. was able to put the Lions ahead with less than two seconds remaining, leading to the 91-90 double-overtime victory.
 
The last time the Lions went into multiple overtimes was the 2018-19 season.  Saturday's victory marks the first time since that same season that the Lions won an overtime game.  Burrell registered his second double-double of the season, while Crockett has now scored 30 points or more in four games this season.  Southwest Baptist outscored the Lions 58-28 in the paint, but the Lions were dialed in from long range as they hit 48.1 percent of their three-point shots.  The Bearcats came into the night receiving votes in the NABC Coaches Poll.
 
QUOTABLE
"Just a tremendous effort from our entire team tonight," said head coach Kyle Gerdeman.  "We talk about showing up everyday playing hard and improving.  When you do that, I think it always gives you a chance.  These guys deserve to enjoy it for a few days before we move on to the next week."
 
GAME LEADERS
TJ Crockett (30 PTS, 5 AST, 3 REB, 1 STL)
Romelo Burrell (16 PTS, 10 REB, 2 AST, 2 BLK)
Kevin Caldwell Jr. (19 PTS, 4 AST, 2 REB, 1 BLK)
 
UP NEXT
The Lions will head to Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday to take on Drury at 7:45 p.m.