Game #22
Lindenwood (9-12, 4-6 OVC)
vs. SIUE (14-7, 7-3 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Thursday, Jan. 30th, 2025
Location: St. Charles, Mo.
Venue: Robert F. Hyland Arena
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. CT
All-Time Series: 0-5
Last Meeting: L, 47-58
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Watch

Matchup
Lindenwood men's basketball will start this week with a home match-up inside Hyland Arena at 7:30 p.m. CT against their foe from across the Mississippi River SIUE on Thursday, Jan. 30th. The Lions enter the week with a 4-56 Ohio Valley Conference record as we sit at the mid-way point in conference play.

Saturday's results saw the Lions suffer only their second home loss of the season against the Trojans of Little Rock by a final score of 46-78. It marked the lowest point scored by the Lions during the 2024-25 season. Jordan Wildy was the lone double-digit scorer against LR with 10 points. Wildy averaged 13.5 points per game last week including a career-high 17 points against SEMO. Clayton Jackson off the bench scored nine points including hitting three triples. Markeith Browning II also added five assists, he has posted at least five assists in eight games this season including eight vs. SEMO.

Coming into Thursday's game, the Cougars of SIUE currently hold the all-time record against the Lions at 5-0. Lindenwood is still in search of their first ever win against the Cougars. During their last meeting in Edwardsville, Ill., it was a low-scoring affair with the final score being 47-58. Browning II led the way with a team-high 16 points while shooting 2-4 from deep.

Midway through OVC play, Lindenwood has averaged 67.5 points per game while shooting 41.1% from the field. Their points per game in OVC competitions ranks eighth. Anias Futrell is the seventh leading scorer in OVC play after averaging 15.6 ppg shooting 35.2% from the floor and 30.5% from three. Browning II also ranks 13th in OVC points averaging 14.1 ppg. 

The SIUE Cougars are coached by Brian Barone who enters his sixth season at the helm. SIUE is currently in a tie for second place in the OVC with a 7-3 OVC record. The Cougars are coming off two wins against Southern Indiana and Morehead State last week at home.

Player to Watch
 Freshman Jadis Jones is the Lions' third leading scorer this season after averaging 11.7 ppg. Jones is shooting 54.0% from the floor this season while ranking second on the team in made field-goals with 94. An active rebounder, Jones leads the team in rebounds per game averaging 6.3 per game.

Jones had a career day vs. Southern Indiana after scoring a career-high 21 points and grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds. He is coming off a 15-point performance against SEMO and was named the OVC Freshman of the Week last week.

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 SIUE
The Cougars come into Thursday's game with a 14-7 record including a 7-3 OVC record, second best in the conference. Their average of 73.3 points per game ranks fourth in the league so far. They have been one of the hotter teams in the OVC winning seven of their last eight OVC games.

Ray'Sean Taylor has made an impact for the Cougars this season as he enters Thursday's match-up as the leading scorer in the OVC averaging 18.9 points per game. He is one of three Lions to average double-figures this season including Brain Taylor (12.5) and Ring Malith (10.6)

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's four game home stand ends on Saturday, Feb. 1st with a meeting against the Panthers of Eastern Illinois at 3:30 p.m. CT. This will also be their Coaches vs. Cancer Game inside Hyland Arena. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.