Game #29
Lindenwood (14-14, 9-8 OVC)
at Southeast Missouri State (18-10, 13-4 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Saturday, Feb. 22nd, 2025
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Venue: Show Me Center
Tip-Off: 3:45 p.m. CT
All-Time Series: 4-2
Last Meeting: W, 72-68
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Watch

Matchup
Lindenwood men's basketball takes on Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) on Saturday as they face-off against their in-state rival at the Show Me Center at 3:45 p.m. CT in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The Lions clinched their spot in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship field after picking up an overtime win at Little Rock on Thursday. LU has won four of their last five games including three straight.

Reggie Bass came in the clutch again for Lindenwood after knocking down three free throws with 2.9 seconds left to knock off Little Rock in Arkansas. Bass led the way with 19 points for the Lions as LU improved to 9-8 in OVC play. This marked the second time this season Bass has been foul on a three-point attempt to win a game. Five different Lions scored in double-figures marking the first time that has happened since earlier this season against Harris-Stowe. Freshman Aly Tounkara had a career-day posting his first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Tounkara shot a perfect 7-7 from the field while helping the Lions out-rebound the Trojans 39-30.

Lindenwood battled SEMO earlier this season in Hyland Arena where they Lions picked up a 72-68 victory. This marked the last time SEMO had lost a game in OVC play. Anias Futrell led the way in that game scoring 20 points while knocking down three triples.

After 17 games through OVC play, Lindenwood has averaged 69.7 points per game while shooting 41.5% from the field. Four different Lions are averaging at least 13.0 points in OVC play making them the only team to have four top 20 scorers in the conference.

SEMO is coached by fifth-year man Brad Korn as he has led the Redhawks to an 18-10 record including a 13-4 OVC mark. Korn and SEMO are currently on an eight game win streak, their longest win streak in their Division I history. 

Player to Watch
Aly Tounkara made an instant impact in their overtime win against Little Rock on Thursday. The freshman center went a perfect 7-7 from the floor on his way to his first career double-double. Tounkara scored 15 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. Tounkara has had six games this season in which he has had multiple blocks including two vs. the Trojans.

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
SEMO has been hot as of late winning eight straight games. Their last loss came at the hands of the Lions when the Redhawks came to St. Charles, Mo. in January as LU defeated SEMO 72-68. Since then, SEMO has jolted into first place in the OVC with a 13-4 OVC record.

The Redhawks have a trio of double-figure scorers including Teddy Washington Jr. who is averaging 14.1 points per game. He is one of four SEMO players to have over 30 three-pointers made with a team high 50 this season.

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 has a quick turn-around this week as they player Western Illinois in Macomb, Ill. on Tuesday, Feb. 25th at 7:30 p.m. CT. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.