MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Lindenwood men's basketball (1-2, 0-0 OVC) found themselves down by as many as 23 points on Thursday before mounting a comeback vs. New Orleans (1-2, 0-0 SLC), but fell shot 74-82 during the opening round of the Urban-Bennett MTE in Moon Township, Pa. Four Lions were in double-digits including a combined 29 points from freshmen Jadis Jones and Clayton Jackson.

"Good fight to cut a 20-point deficit to two," said head coach Kyle Gerdeman. "But the learning experience for us tonight will be from a poor four minute stretch and improving mental toughness over 40 minutes."

Jackson led all Lions on Thursday with 15 points while shooting 6-8 from the floor including three three-pointers. Jones was one rebound shy of his second double-double of the season, finishing the game with 14 points, nine rebounds and two steals. The 6-6 freshman shot 7-13 from the field.

In Anias Furell's 30 minutes of action, the senior from St. Louis, Mo. finished with 13 points while shooting 4-13 from the field. Jordan Wildy off the bench also provided 12 points while shooting an efficient 5-8 from the floor. As a team, Lindenwood shot 30-68 from the field, but were held to 6-27 from deep.

New Orleans had five in double-figures on Thursday including 20-points from James White who also added 11 rebounds for a double-double. Jah Short also chipped in 18 points while shooting 7-12 from the field. The Privateers shot 47.4% from the floor including nine triples and went 19-28 from the foul line.

Lindenwood trailed by as many as nine points in the first half, but chipped away at the lead heading into the break down 38-31. Down 10-19 early in the first half,the Lions battled back eventually tying the game at 24-24. New Orleans ended the half on a 11-7 run including two fouls shots by Luke Davis with three seconds left.
 
Clayton Jackson and Reggie Bass added a much needed lift off the bench for the Lions scoring seven and six points respectively in the first half. Jackson was a perfect 3-3 from the floor while Bass added two triples. LU shot 3-13 from downtown in the first 20 minutes.
 
Jadis Jones and Jaylon McDaniel contributed ten combined points down-low for Lindenwood as they scored 18 of their 31 first half points in the paint. The Privateers out-rebounded Lindenwood in the first half 21-19 as both teams pulled down nine offensive boards.

New Orleans started out the second half strong eventually going up by as many as 23-points. After a Futrell three-pointer to cut the lead to four (42-46), New Orleans went on a 19-0 run to go up 42-65. 

Lindenwood followed suit with a 22-1 run of their own to cut the lead to two points with 4:06 remaining. During that stretch, five different Lions contributed as the Privateer's lone point with a foul shot.

Futrell (11 points) and Wildy (10) were in double figures during the final 20 minute of the game, but it was not enough as New Orleans pulled away late to secure the first win at the Urban-Bennett MTE.

Lindenwood will play their second of three games this weekend starting tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. CT against the host school Robert Morris. For more information and how to watch go to lindenwoodlions.com.