The Lindenwood Men's Basketball team came up just short on the road in their exhibition matchup at Southern Illinois on Tuesday night by a final score of 75-71. Marsai Mason, Malek Archie, and Xavier Spencer all scored 14 points, while Shamiere Green chipped in with 11 points on 5/10 shooting from the floor. 

Trailing 12-8 less than five minutes into the game, the Lions scored five straight points over a two minute span and took a one point lead thanks to an Archie driving layup and a Mason three pointer 40 seconds later. The Saluki's responded with a run of their own, taking a 21-15 lead with just under nine minutes to play in the first half. SIU would eventually extend their lead to 11 with 4:38 to play, but Lindenwood closed the gap to two after ending the half on a 15-6 run. During the second run of the first half, Dom Clay led the Lions with five points and Archie added another four to finish the first half with six points. Marsai Mason had a double-double at the break, grabbing 11 rebounds to go along with 11 points. 

Early on in the second half, Miles White forced an SIU turnover and Green cashed in on a three pointer to even the score at 39 with 18:20 to go in the contest. Later in the half with the Lions trailing by 10 with 6:24 to go, Clay scored back-to-back buckets and cut the lead down to six, before Matar Diop scored back-to-back buckets of his own to cut the Saluki lead to 69-67 with 3:13 remaining.

After SIU went up four with 2:32 to go, Xavier Spencer got the deficit back down to two on a step back jumper with 50 seconds to go. On the next defensive possession, the Lions forced a shot clock violation and had a chance to tie or take the lead late, but the Lions were unable to capitalize as the Saluki's sunk two free throws with seven seconds left to hold on for the 75-71 win. 

Despite the loss, Lindenwood won the turnover battle 16-9 and had 17 offensive rebounds compared to the Saluki's 11. Lindenwood will return to action on Monday, November 2 for the start of their regular season when they travel to Fort Worth, Texas to take on TCU.