The Lindenwood men's basketball team (9-19, 4-11 OVC) lost a tightly contested bout to Tennessee Tech (13-15, 9-6 OVC) by a final of 77-68 on Thursday night in Cookeville, Tenn.
 
GAME OVERVIEW
Kevin Caldwell Jr. was hot to start the night after scoring the first 10 points for the Lions on 4-of-4 shooting from the field.  Lindenwood took a 17-13 lead at the 11:47 mark after a three pointer by Chris Childs.  Keenon Cole extended the lead to six points before the Golden Eagles battled back to regain a 23-21 lead.
 
Caldwell Jr. brought the deficit to 33-28 at the five-minute mark of the opening frame as both teams battled up and down the court.  Cole rallied the Lions as he scored five of the final seven points for the Lions the close out the half, as Tennessee Tech held a slim 37-35 lead.  Caldwell Jr. led the Lions with 12 points and three assists, while Cole put up nine points and pulled down five boards.
 
Tennessee Tech took an eight-point lead at the 15:35 mark, but Caldwell Jr. sparked the offense with a three pointer on the next possession.  Cam Burrell registered his second consecutive assist the next trip down the court on a three-point bucket by Cole.  Caldwell Jr. tied the game at 50-50 on a pull up jumper, before a free-throw by Burrell gave the Lions the lead.
 
The Lions and Golden Eagles traded the lead for a lengthy run, as the Lions held a 66-64 lead with 4:41 to go in the game.  Lindenwood struggled to get points down the stretch, as Tennessee Tech took a three-point lead at the 2:43 mark.  The Golden Eagles hit their free throws to hold on for the nine-point win over the Lions.
 
Lindenwood collected more rebounds, and generated 36 points in the paint on Thursday.  However, the Golden Eagles tallied 20 points off 13 turnovers.  Cole had a big second-half as he ended his night with 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the floor.  Cole registered another double-double, after pulling down 11 rebounds.  Caldwell Jr. battled through an injury to post 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting.  Caldwell Jr. dished out four assists, collected one rebound, and notched one steal.

QUOTABLE
"We are fighting like crazy to get a win," said head coach Kyle Gerdeman.  "It's a fine line for this team obviously, but we have to carry ourself into Saturday and next week with the confidence that we can beat anyone, anywhere."
 
GAME LEADERS
Keenon Cole (23 PTS, 10-of-17 FG, 11 REB, 1 AST)
Kevin Caldwell Jr. (21 PTS, 9-of-17 FG, 4 AST, 1 REB, 1 STL)
Brandon Trimble (12 PTS, 4-of-9 FG, 6 REB)
 
UP NEXT
The Lions will visit Morehead State on Saturday for a 3:00 p.m. (2:00 p.m. CT) tipoff in Morehead, Ky.