ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Lindenwood men's basketball (4-6, 0-0 OVC) picked up their fourth win of the season after defeating Avila University (2-6, 1-5 HAAC) by a final score of 81-64. The Lions shot 45.8% from the floor while making a season high 23 foul shots.
Keenon Cole scored a career-high 25 points in the win on 9-18 shooting while making six of seven from the foul line. Cole has now scored in double figures in 10 straight games and is the Lions' leading scorer averaging 17.5 ppg. He also grabbed a team high nine rebounds.
Darius Beane was also effective for the Lions' offense posting 17 points, giving him six consecutive games scoring in double figures. Beane shot 7-13 from the floor while picking up six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Eagles kept it close early on after hanging around by five or six points for most of the first half. Avila shot 4-11 from three in the first half while making 13-30 field goals in the first twenty minutes. Lindenwood went on a 9-3 run to end the half to give LU an 11 point lead (44-33).
Over the first couple of minutes of action to start the second half, Lindenwood extended their leading to 16 after four quick points from
Jaylon McDaniel. McDaniel scored 12 points for Lindenwood on 4-8 shooting.
Avila got it as close as six points at the 56-50 mark after a pull-up jump shot by Jordan Majeed. Lindenwood pushed their lead back to 11 points after a layup by Cole with 11 minutes remaining.
Defensive pressure picked up for the Lions late in the game causing six turnovers in the final 10 minutes of action. Beane and Cole both made multiple late shots to close out the win for the Lions.
Colin Ruffin picked up eight points and six rebounds for Lindenwood while also creating two steals.
Jeremiah Talton and
Isaac Ondekane both contributed seven points in the win. LU out-rebounded Avila 40-29 on Tuesday.
Lindenwood will return on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 11:00 a.m. CT as they travel to Indianapolis, Ind. to take on the Jaguars of IUPUI. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.
