Game #20
Lindenwood (8-11, 3-5 OVC)
vs. SEMO (10-9, 5-3 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Thursday, Jan. 23rd, 2025
Location: St. Charles, Mo.
Venue: Robert F. Hyland Arena
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. CT
All-Time Series: 3-2
Last Meeting: W, 58-54
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Watch

Matchup
Lindenwood men's basketball returns home for a big home stretch as they start a four-game Ohio Valley Conference home stand starting with SEMO on Thursday, Jan. 23rd at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Lions are coming off two road losses in OVC play and now sit at a 3-5 conference record.

During their last game, Lindenwood suffered a 65-82 loss at OVC-leader Morehead State in Morehead, Ky. The Lions were held to 30.8% shooting in the second half after trailing by two points at the half. Lindenwood's leading scorer was freshman standout Jadis Jones with 16 points. He was named the OVC Freshman of the Year for the sixth time this season after averaging 18.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg last season. Markeith Browning II (12) and Nathan Johnson Jr. (10) also scored in double-figures vs. the Eagles.

Lindenwood holds the all-time series against the Redhawks with a 3-2 record after sweeping the season series last year. In early January last year in Cape Girardeau, Keenon Cole scored 42-points to lift the Lions to victory. LU responded with a defensive win at home last year vs. SEMO by a score of 58-54.

To start OVC play, Lindenwood has averaged 69.6 points per game while shooting 41.8% from the field. Their points per game in OVC competitions also ranks fifth so far. Anias Futrell is the sixth leading scorer in OVC play after averaging 17.0 ppg shooting 36.1% from the floor and 31.9% from three. Browning II also ranks eighth in OVC points averaging 15.4 ppg. Aly Tounkara ranks fourth in blocks per game in OVC play (1.4).

Southeast Missouri State is led by fifth-year head coach Brad Korn who has started off OVC play with a 5-3 record. Coming into the season, Korn added six transfers and one freshman to the roster after going 9-22 a season ago. Two seasons ago, Korn led the Redhawks to an OVC Tournament Championship and their first trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in two decades.

Player to Watch
Anias Futrell has had a great start in his five OVC games played this season. He is averaging 17.0 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game against conference competition. He comes into Thursday's game leading the Lions in points with an average of 13.5 ppg.

He has nine double-digit scoring efforts this season including a season-high 26 points against UT Martin during Lindenwood's last home game. Futrell was held to just eight points at Morehead State in Lindenwood's loss in the Bluegrass State.

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. 

Scouting SEMO
The Redhawks are the fourth highest scoring team in the OVC averaging 73.5 points per game through 19 games. SEMO currently ranks as the fourth team in the OVC with a 5-3 conference record. They are coming off a win in their last game at Tennessee Tech by a final score of 77-70.

Teddy Washington Jr. enters Thursday's game averaging a team-high 15.2 points per game while shooting 38.9% from the floor and 30.3% from three-point range. Rob Martin is the other Redhawk to average double-figures averaging 11.6 ppg while shooting 41.5% from the field.

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 home stretch at Hyland Arena on Saturday, Jan. 25th when they take on the Trojans of Little Rock at 3:30 p.m. CT. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.