Game #21
Lindenwood (7-13, 1-6 OVC)
at UT Martin (11-9, 4-3 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024
Location: Martin, Tenn.
Venue: Kathleen and Tom Elam
Tip-Off: 3:30 p.m. CT
All-Time Series: 1-1
Last Meeting: W, 80-75
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Watch

Matchup
The Lindenwood men's basketball team continues their weekend road trip on Saturday, Jan. 27 as they take on the Skyhawks of UT Martin at 3:30 p.m. CT. Lindenwood is in the midst of a four-game losing streak after dropping their Thursday game at Little Rock by a final score of 80-66.

Thursday's action saw the Lions take on the Trojans where they allowed their second worst opponent field-goal percentage this season (55.0%). Keenon Cole was the bright spot for the Lions' offense after posting 25 points, his eighth 20+ contest this season. It was also his fourth 20+ game in conference play this season.

UT Martin currently ranks fifth in the conference standings with an OVC record of 4-3. The Skyhawks picked up a win in their last game against SEMO by a final score of 84-58 on Thursday. Their 82.1 ppg is the most by an OVC school this season. They have a home record of 7-2 coming into Saturday's game.

During OVC competition, the Lions are averaging 63.7 ppg which ranks last among all OVC teams. They are shooting 42.4% during those games which ranks seventh. Throughout their entire season, LU is averaging 66.2 points a game behind the Lion's two leading scorers Keenon Cole (19.1 ppg) and Darius Beane (12.6 ppg). The duo combines for 47.7% of Lindenwood's scoring.

To begin the season, the Lions were picked to finish 10th in the Ohio Valley Conference as they begin their second Division I season in program history under head coach Kyle Gerdeman.

Player to Watch
Keenon Cole has been the best option for the Lions on offense has he is averaging 19.1 points per game this season, second in the OVC behind Jordan Sears from UT Martin. He has eight games over 20 points this season including four in conference play.

Earlier this season, Cole had an all-time performance at SEMO scoring 42 points on 13-23 shooting while hitting 13-16 from the foul line. His 42 points are third most by any Division I player this season. Cole also became the first Lion in their Division I history to score 40 points in a game.

On Thursday, Cole scored 25 points against Little Rock while pulling down 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. He has scored in double-figures in every single game this season, the most since TJ Crockett during the 2020-21 season.

OVC Top Ten
Keenon Cole jumps into second in the OVC in scoring while averaging 19.1 points per game. He trails only Jordan Sears from UT Martin in total points this season. He also ranks seventh in free-throw percentage at 80.7% and fourth in minutes averaging 33.7.

Darius Beane can also score for the Lions averaging 12.6 points per game this season ranking just outside the top ten at 20. His field goal percentage ranks fifth in the OVC at 47.2%. Beane is second in most offensive categories behind Cole.

Colin Ruffin is averaging 1.3 steals per game as a freshman this season which ranks sixth in the conference. He is one of two Lindenwood player with over 20 steals this season (26).

OVC Preseason Rankings
In a vote of Ohio Valley Conference head men's basketball coaches and communication directors, Morehead State has been picked the preseason favorites for the 2023-24 season. It marks the second-straight year the Eagles have been tabbed the favorites.
 
The Eagles picked up 20 of 22 first-place votes (teams could not vote for themselves); Tennessee State picked up the other votes.  MSU tallied 200 points and was followed by SIUE (162), who was picked second. Tennessee State (153) was picked third and followed by UT Martin (149), Southeast Missouri (124), Tennessee Tech (120), Little Rock (85), Western Illinois (80), Southern Indiana (63), Lindenwood (40) and Eastern Illinois (34).

Scouting UT Martin
The Skyhawks are led by Ryan Ridder who is entering his third season at UT Martin. Last season, he posted the second-biggest turn around in Skyhawks history winning 19 games. He has a career record of 38-45.

Jordan Sears leads the UT Martin squad averaging 19.5 points per game which ranks first in the OVC. He has 10 games over 20 points this season including a season-high 34 against North Alabama. Jacob Crews also averages 17.7 pgg and 8.0 rpg. Crews has five double-doubles this season.

Head Coach: Kyle Gerdeman
Kyle Gerdeman enters his fifth year at the helm of the Lindenwood men's basketball program in the 2023-24 season. The Lions concluded their inaugural Division I season in 2022-23 where Gerdeman led the Lions to an appearances in the OVC Tournament after a wild finish to the season.

The Lions took down in-state rival Southeast Missouri State in double-overtime to keep their postseason hopes alive.  In the final game of the regular season, Lindenwood needed a win to move on, and Kevin Caldwell Jr. answered the call with a game-winning bucket in overtime.

Lindenwood led the OVC in free-throw percentage (75.6), and was second in the OVC in three-point percentage (39.1).  Chris Childs held the top spot in the league with a free-throw percentage of 92.7, while Keenon Cole was atop the OVC with a three-point percentage of 51.0 percent.  The Lions clawed their way to three overtime wins on the season.  Lindenwood also posted two comeback victories from 20 points down, and another 17-point comeback during OVC play.

Up Next
The Lions return home four four straight home games starting on Tuesday, Jan. 30 as they take on Southeast Missouri at 7:30 p.m. CT. For more information, go to lindenwoodlions.com.