Game #16
Lindenwood (7-9, 2-3 OVC)
vs. UT Martin (7-9, 3-2 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Saturday, Jan.11th, 2025
Location: St. Charles, Mo.
Venue: Robert F. Hyland Arena
Tip-Off: 3:30 p.m. CT
All-Time Series: 1-3
Last Meeting: L, 82-106
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Watch

Matchup
Lindenwood men's basketball continues their two-game home-stand on Saturday, Jan. 11th against the Skyhawks of UT Martin. The Lions have improved to 7-9 on the season and a 2-3 Ohio Valley Conference record. UT Martin comes into Hyland Arena after sweeping the season series during the 2023-24 season.

On Thursday, Lindenwood battled to a 72-62 gritty win against the Tigers of Tennessee State. The Lions only shot 38.7% from the field, but held TSU to 3-22 (13.6%) from three-point range in the win. Anias Futrell in just his third game back from injury manage to post his second double-double of the season after dropping 24-points and 10-rebounds. Markeith Browning II also had 10 points and four assists in the win.

UT Martin currently has the all-time series record against Lindenwood at 1-3. During their last game in St. Charles, Mo., the Skyhawks defeated the Lions 82-106. Colin Ruffin was one of five Lions to score in double-figures in the loss posting 11 points on 5-7 shooting. Jaylon McDaniel also had 10 points and three rebounds during their meeting last season.

To start OVC play, Lindenwood has averaged 67.4 points per game while shooting 40.0% from the field. Browning II is the sixth leading scorer in OVC play through five games averaging 17.0 ppg. Freshman stand-out Jadis Jones has averaged 6.8 rebounds per game in conference play including an average of 3.5 offensive rebounds.

UT Martin welcomes their 13th head coach in program history as Jeremy Shulman was announced as the new head coach back in March 2024. Shulman was previously the head coach at Eastern Florida State College for 14 seasons capturing 346 career victories. He has led the Skyhawks to a 7-9 start and a 3-2 start in OVC play. UTM is currently on a two-win game streak after defeating SEMO and Western Illinois in overtime.

Player to Watch
Aly Tounkara made his first start in his Lindenwood career against the Tigers of Tennessee State and did not disappoint. Tounkara had seven points, seven rebounds and four blocks in the win. He has played over 20 minutes in back-to-back games for the first time this season. In limited action, the 7-0 footer is averaging 3.2 points per game and 2.9 rebounds.

OVC Preseason Rankings
In a vote of Ohio Valley Conference head men's basketball coaches and communication directors, Little Rock has been picked the preseason favorites for the 2024-25 season. Lindenwood was picked to finish ninth receiving 67 points, their most since joining the OVC.

Little Rock picked up 20 of the 22 first-place votes in the conference. Western Illinois (172 points), SIUE (151 points, 2 first-place votes) and Tennessee State (134) rounded out the top four in the OVC. Defending OVC Champions Morehead State were selected to finish fifth this season followed by Eastern Illinois, SEMO, Southern Indiana, Lindenwood, UT Martin and Tennessee Tech.

The Ohio Valley Conference also selected two 'Players To Watch" from each OVC school to start the upcoming season. Talton and newcomer Browning were tabbed as Lindenwood's players to watch for the 2024-25 season. 

UT Martin Stats To Know
UT Martin is currently averaging 76.6 points per game this season through 16 games while allowing opponents to score 70.1 ppg. They are shooting 41.8% from the floor and 32.2% from three-point range. The Skyhawks currently have two double-figure scorers on their team.

Tarence Guinyard leads the team in points averaging 16.5 points per game in 16 games, making 14 starts. e is shooting 45.9% from the field and 40.8% from three-point range. Josue Grullon is also averaging 15.1 points for UTM.

Head Coach: Kyle Gerdeman
Kyle Gerdeman is entering his sixth year at the helm of the Lindenwood men's basketball program in 2024-25.

During the 2023-24 season, Gerdeman coached Keenon Cole to second team all-conference honors. The Streamwood, Ill.native averaged 18.1 points per game, which ranked fourth in the OVC. Cole poured in a career-high 42 points in a 74-68 road win over SEMO on January 11. For his performance, Cole was tabbed the OVC Player of the Week as well as being recognized as one of the Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week. 
 
In 2022-23, Lindenwood earned a spot in the OVC Championship tournament after a wild ending to the year.  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) during the 2022-23 season.  Chris Childs held the top spot in the league with a free-throw percentage of 92.7, while 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
Lindenwood goes back on the road on Thursday, Jan. 16th against Southern Indiana starting at 7:30 p.m. CT. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.