The Lindenwood men's basketball team (9-11, 5-7 GLVC) played quality defense on Monday, but lost 70-56 to Southern Indiana (12-4, 7-3 GLVC) in Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo.
 
GAME OVERVIEW
Lindenwood took a 9-5 lead in the first five minutes of the game.  The offensive production slowed for both teams, as the Lions compiled just 13 points before the five-minute media timeout.  Jacoby Ross cut the deficit to 11 points with a three pointer near the end of the half, and a last-second bucket by Romelo Burrell made it a 33-24 game at the break.
 
Brandon Suggs posted eight points and seven rebounds, but eight turnovers in the first 20 minutes resulted in the nine-point deficit.  The Lions held Southern Indiana to 35.9 percent shooting from the field, but the Screaming Eagles were hot from long range.
 
Ross brought the Lions within seven points in the first few minutes before Southern Indiana, but Lindenwood struggled to slow the pace of the Screaming Eagles.  Kevin Caldwell Jr. pulled the Lions to just a nine-point deficit with 7:42 to play, before the difference became too much to overcome in the 70-56 loss.
 
Suggs had a great night, scoring 12 points, grabbing nine boards, and collecting four blocks.  Ross dropped 18 points and added two steals with two assists.  Lindenwood committed just one turnover in the second half, while forcing the Screaming Eagles into 12 turnovers.
 
GAME LEADERS
Brandon Suggs (12 PTS, 9 REB, 4 BLK, 1 STL)
Jacoby Ross (18 PTS, 2 REB, 2 STL, 2 AST)
Romelo Burrell (11 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK)
 
QUOTABLE
"Tough loss tonight," said head coach Kyle Gerdeman.  "I know our guys are disappointed.  We got off to a slow start offensively and I thought it hurt our defense early on.  We hung in there and stayed competitive which is always good.  But, with our schedule the next couple of weeks and the season coming to the end of the regular season, we have to keep learning and do so quickly to get ready for the next game."
 
UP NEXT
Lindenwood is will take on Missouri S&T on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. inside Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo.