Game #17
Lindenwood (8-9, 3-3 OVC)
at Southern Indiana (6-10, 1-5 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Thursday, Jan.16th, 2025
Location: Evansville, Ind.
Venue: Liberty Arena
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. CT
All-Time Series: 1-7
Last Meeting: W, 67-63
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Watch

Matchup
Lindenwood men's basketball hits the road this week with the first stop being in Evansville, Ind. against the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles. The former GLVC-opponents will battle for the first time this season. Lindenwood is on a two-game OVC win streak marking the first time they have done this since their inaugural season in 2022-23 when they ended the OVC regular season defeating SEMO and Little Rock. 

Hyland Arena watched a stunner last Saturday after Nathan Johnson Jr. hit a game-winning three against UT Martin with 5 seconds remaining to push the Lions over the Skyhawks 82-81. Anias Futrell scored a season-best 26 points on his way to his second straight double-double. Markeith Browning II had an all-around great game with 18 points, five rebounds and six assists. LU shot 31-62 from the field including making 10 threes.

To end the 2023-24 season, Lindenwood earned their first ever victory over USI in Evansville by a final score of 67-63. Southern Indiana currently holds a 1-7 all-time record against the Lions. Johnson Jr. scored a then career-high 18 points last season at USI on 6-11 shooting. Jaylon McDaniel also chipped in 12 points and three rebounds last season.

To start OVC play, Lindenwood has averaged 69.8 points per game while shooting 41.7% from the field. Futrell is the second leading scorer in OVC play after averaging 19.3 ppg shooting 36.7% from the floor and 34.3% from three. Browning II also ranks sixth in OVC points averaging 17.2.

Southern Indiana is coached by fifth-year man Stan Gouard who has led the Screaming Eagles into their Division I transition. Gouard has led USI to a 6-10 overall record this season including a 1-5 start to OVC play. Southern Indiana has made the OVC Tournament for two straight seasons including during the 2023-24 season where they went 5-13 in OVC competition.

Player to Watch
Division II transfer Anias Futrell has made the most of his return to the Lindenwood lineup after missing four games due to injury. In his four games since returning, Futrell is averaging 19.3 points per game and 8.0 rebounds per game.

During his last game vs. UT Martin, he became the first Lion to post back-to-back double-doubles since Keenon Cole did a season-ago after dropping 26-points (24 in the first half) and 10 rebounds. He is Lindenwood's leading scorer averaging 13.6 ppg while shooting 33.8% from three.

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. 

Southern Indiana Stats To Know
The Screaming Eagles are currently averaging 73.6 points per game during the 2024-25 season. As a team, they are shooting 43.4% from the field and 33.4% from three-point range. USI has a 5-3 home record at Liberty Arena, but have lost five straight in OVC play.

Southern Indiana has a trio of double-digit scorers led by Jayland Randall who is averaging 15.5 points per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 43.1% from three. Stephen Olowoniyi is their second leading scorer averaging 14.3 ppg while adding a team-high 6.6 rebounds a night. Olowoniyi had three double-doubles this season including posting 26 points and 13 rebounds vs. Tennessee Tech.

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 continues their road trip in the state of Kentucky when they face-off against the Eagles of Morehead State on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.