The Lindenwood men's basketball team (12-16, 8-12 GLVC) roared back to force overtime, but closed out the regular season with a tough 77-70 loss to Southern Indiana (17-7, 12-6 GLVC) on Saturday in Evansville, Ind.
 
GAME OVERVIEW
Southern Indiana jumped out to a 16-8 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game, as the Lions utilized the free-throw line to stay within reach.  The Lions made it a four-point game at the 6:26 mark before the Screaming Eagles added to their lead.  Just one bucket was scored in the final minute, as Brandon Suggs made it a 32-26 deficit heading into halftime.
 
Romelo Burrell set the tone in the second half with a three pointer in the first minute.  After Kevin Caldwell Jr. knocked down a pair of free throws at the 15:26 mark, Jacoby Ross drained a three-point shot to tie the game at 38-38.  Southern Indiana built its lead up to eight points with less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation.  Caldwell Jr. scored the next five points for the Lions, keeping the game close.
 
Lindenwood continued to battle, even thru an eight-point deficit with 1:31 remaining on the clock.  Ross made a jumper at the 1:16 mark, and forced a steal which led to a couple of made free throws by Caldwell Jr.  After a missed jumper by the Screaming Eagles, Burrell hit a three pointer with 17 seconds on the clock to make it a one-point game as he then went to the line.  The senior was smooth at the line and tied the game to force overtime.
 
The Lions cooled off in the offensive zone, as Southern Indiana took advantage and built a solid lead.  Suggs and Burrell threw down dunks in the final minute, as the Lions continued to battle.  Burrell hit a three pointer with 17 seconds to go in the game, but the Screaming Eagles made the necessary free throws to hold on for the seven-point win on Saturday.
 
GAME LEADERS
Romelo Burrell (23 PTS, 11 REB, 4 BLK, 2 STL)
Brandon Suggs (10 PTS, 12 REB, 4 BLK, 1 AST, 1 STL)
Kevin Caldwell Jr. (19 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK)
 
UP NEXT
Lindenwood will head to Liberty, Mo. on Monday to take on William Jewell in the first round of the GLVC Championships.