LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Lindenwood men's basketball (7-13, 1-6 OVC) suffered their sixth Ohio Valley Conference loss of the season with a 66-80 final score at Little Rock (10-10, 4-3 OVC). Lions shot 42.9% from the field while going 7-20 from three-point range.

"I thought a slow start hurt us a lot in the first half," said head coach Kyle Gerdeman. "Second half was much better, we made a couple runs but couldn't get over the top. Our level of competition was in the right spot tonight."

Keenon Cole continued to be the bright spot of the Lindenwood offense scoring 25 points in the loss. It was the eighth time this season Cole has scored over 20 points and fourth time during conference play. Cole shot 7-15 from the field while going 3-6 from three-point range and 8-8 from the foul line. He also grabbed 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season.

Darius Beane (13 points) and Jeremiah Talton (12 points) were the other double-digit scorers for the Lions. Talton went 3-6 from distance making it his fourth game with at least three three-pointers. Beane went 5-10 from the floor and 3-4 from the line.

Little Rock started the game off on a 9-0 run before Beane pulled up for a jumper to end the scoring drought. The Lions started the game shooting 0-3 from the field with two turnovers.

Beane scored four early points for the Lions to cut the lead to 6-12 but Lindenwood's offense struggled going on a field goal drought four almost four minutes. In that span, the Trojans extend their lead to 8-17 before a Keith Haymon II three.

Jamir Chaplin for the Trojans had 16 first half points while shooting 7- from the field. His three-pointer with 10:28 left in the first half extended their lead to 22-11. Lindenwood started 5-20 from the floor.

Little Rock continued to shot the ball well in the first half (18-31 1st Half FG) as they extended their lead to 33-15 after a 9-0 run. Lindenwood did end the first half on a 6-0 run as they trail at halftime 26-41.

Cole led the way at the half with nine point while going 6-6 at the line. Beane would also chip in six points after shooting 3-6 from the field. The Lions allowed 22 points in the paint in the first half while turning the ball over eight times.

Lindenwood's offense started to get into a groove in the second half as they battled Little Rock to a 6-6 start to open up the second half. LU started the second shooting 3-7 before Little Rock extended their lead to 32-50.

With under 12 to play, Lindenwood started to heat up from three-point range hitting back-to-back-to-back three-pointers, two from Talton and one from Cole. Cole's three cut the lead to 49-60.

KK Robinson ended that run with a step-back three of his own to push the lead back to 14. Lindenwood would eventually get the game to as close as 10 points, but LR closed the game out shooting 5-7 from the field to secure their fourth conference win of the season.

Little Rock's 55.0% shooting from the field was the second highest the Lions have given up this season. The Trojans were led by Chaplin who had 22 points. Bradley Douglas also chipped in 16.

During the second half, Lindenwood shot 12-23 from the field and 5-11 from deep. They also shot 17-22 from the line. Tommie Williams led the group with four assists, he also added four points off the bench.

Lindenwood will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 25 as they take on the Skyhawks of UT Martin at 3:30 p.m. CT in Martin, Tenn. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.