MARTIN, Tenn. - Lindenwood men's basketball (7-14, 1-7 OVC) held tough at UT Martin (12-9, 5-3 OVC) but fall short in their comeback as they fall to 1-7 in Ohio Valley Conference play with a 76-67 loss. The Lions got it to as close as five points before falling on Saturday.

"Tough OVC road game tonight," said head coach Kyle Gerdeman. "I thought our effort was in the right spot, we had four players in double figures, just didn't get the win. If we stay focused on playing hard continuing to grow as group, we will earn some wins in the last month of the season."

Four double-digits scorers for the Lions as Keenon Cole had a team-high 15 points on 4-14 shooting. He also led the team in rebounds with eight. Cole has scored in double-figures in 21 consecutive games this season.

Darius Beane scored 14 in the loss shooting 6-13 from the field while also making two three-pointers, his most in a game this season. Beane played 33 minutes on Saturday, a team-high with Cole.

Lindenwood kept it within three point early in the game trailing 10-13 at the 13:27 mark in the first half. The Skyhawks' offense then went on a 6-0 run over the next two minutes to extend their lead to nine points.

Jaylen Myers and Issa Muhammad charged a UT Martin team that went on an 11-5 run with just over four minutes left to stretch the lead out to a game high 15 points. Lindenwood would answer down the stretch closing the game to seven at the half including a three by Beane just before the halftime buzzer.

During the first 20 minutes of action, Jaylon McDaniel led the way with eight points on a near-perfect shooting half (3-4 FG). Cole chipped in six while Beane posted seven of his 14 points in the first. As a team, LU shot 34.3% from the field while being held to 2-9 from behind the arc. The Lions' defense did force eight turnovers, but UTM shot 15-30 (50.0%) in the first half.

McDaniel's cut the lead to five right out of the gate in the second half with a hook shot. He ended the game with 11 points, his fourth game this season in double digits. Lindenwood's offense kept right in the game answering with a huge shot every time the Skyhawks stretched the lead.

Keith Haymon II hit one of his two three-pointers with 13:01 left to play to cut the lead to five. After Haymon's three, UT Martin went on a 7-0 which included five points from Jacob Crews.

UT Martin kept a seven to nine point advantage throughout most of the second half before a long-two by Tommie Williams cut the lead back down to six with 1:23 left to play. The Skyhawks ended the game making three foul shots to secure the win.

Lindenwood shot 37.7% from the field on Saturday which included a 14-34 second half. Jeremiah Talton chipped in 11 points for Lindenwood going 5-8 from the field. UT Martin was led by Crews with 20 points and Muhammad who had 14 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks. The Skyhawks went 12-24 on three-pointers.

The Lions will return home to Hyland Arena this Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. as they take on Southeast Missouri State to start a four-game homestand. Lindenwood defeated SEMO 74-68 earlier this season. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.