Complete Game Notes in .pdf format here

Storyline
The Lindenwood Lions basketball program will travel to Alaska for the first time in school history for the Alaska Invitational. The invitational takes place in Fairbanks, Alaska and consists of the Lions and three NCAA Division II teams.

The Lions start off the weekend with a game against Tiffin, then Southwest Baptist on Friday, and close out the weekend with a contest against the host, Alaska Fairbanks.

All four teams have just one loss between them in the early season.

In the opening week of the season, Lindenwood went 2-0 with wins over Union and Logan Chiropractic.

Last Time Out
Last weekend, the Lions participated in the McKendree Classic and went 2-0 with wins over Union and Logan Chiropractic.
Last Friday night, Lindenwood started off the 2011-12 season with an 82-77 win overtime win against Union.

The Lions led for most of the game until Union hit a three-pointer to tie the score with just second left. Union scored the first points in overtime and that was the last lead Union held. Lindenwood scored the next five points to take the lead. The Lions were a perfect 8-for-8 down the stretch from the free-throw line to ice the game.

Kramer Soderberg led the way for Lindenwood, scoring 23 points and dishing out five assists. Alex Bazzell scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

The Lions finished the weekend with a 99-56 win over Logan Chiropractic. Lindenwood started the game on a 14-2 run and never looked back.

Soderberg once again led the team in scoring with 17 points. He also added seven assists. Bazzell pitched in with 13 points including a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. Tyler Ressel scored 12 points and Garrett Reeg scored 11. Cody Sorenson led the team on the boards with six rebounds.

Forcing Turnovers
Defense was the name of the game last weekend. In two games, the Lions forced their opponents to turn the ball over 28 times.

Points a Plenty
Lindenwood scored 99 points against Logan Chiropractic, which was the highest point total the Lions have scored since the  team scored 101 against Graceland in 2008.

Road Warriors
Lindenwood will earn a lot of frequent flyer miles to start the season. The Lions will play their first eight games of the season on the road and their first 12 out of 14 away from St. Charles.

The team's longest trip will come this weekend, with the trip to Alaska for the Alaska Invitational.

All-Tournament Team
Last weekend at the McKendree Classic the Lions went 2-0 and three Lions were honored. Kramer Soderberg was named tournament MVP, while Tyler Ressell and Alex Bazzell were named to the all-tournament team.  
Charity Stripe

In the Lions first two games of the season, the team has gone to the free-throw line 61 times already. Comparably, Lindenwood's opponents have shot just 40.

As a team, the Lions have made 45-of-61 from the line, good for 74 percent.

Quick Start
The first half has been very kind to the Lions in their first two games. The team has scored 92 first half points, which is 34 more than its opponents.

Everybody Pitching In
Every Lion who has played at least one minute has scored at least two points. The only person who has not scored a point this season is Tyler Harris, who has been injured and has not played.

Newcomers
Lindenwood's newcomers have made an early season impact this year. Newcomers Richie Thompson, Tyler Ressell, Cody Sorenson, and Darris Smith are averaging a combined 31.5 points and 16.5 rebounds.

Soderberg Honored
Kramer Soderberg was named the earlaustinjr.com area college player of the week after his performance at the McKendree Classic. Soderberg averaged 20 points and dished out 12 assists.

Home Court Advantage
The Hyland Arena floor has been very good to the Lions since Brad Soderberg took over. In his two seasons at the helm, the team has compiled a record of 28-4 at home. In 2009-10 Lindenwood was 13-1, followed by a 15-3 record last season.

About Tiffin
Tiffin enters the game against the Lions with a record of 2-0. The Dragons play in the GLIAC.

The Dragons have averaged over 97 points in their first two games, and have surrendered just 60.5 points on defense.

The Dragons are led by four players who average over 10 points a game. Tiffin is led by Joe Graessle, who is averaging 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. Travis Spahr is averaging a double-double with 13.5 points and 12.5 rebounds.

Rounding out the double digit scorers are Karl Finley with 12 and Isaiah Twine with 10.

The head coach of Tiffin is John Hill. Hill is in his second season at the helm of the Dragons. He has an overall career-record of 365-355.

About Southwest Baptist
Southwest Baptist travels to the Alaska Invitational with a record of 2-0. Before the Cougars play the Lions, they will play Alaska Fairbanks.

The Cougars have dominated their first two opponents, winning by an average margin of 30. The team is averaging 107 points and surrendering just 77 on defense.

In the early season, Southwest Baptist is led by four players averaging in double-figures. Ryan Dougherty and Preston Guiot  are both averaging 17.5 points. Jake Littrell is scoring 16.5 points a game, and Abner Kamos is pitching in with 13.5.

The head coach of Southwest Baptist Jeff Guiot. He is in his seventh season at the helm of the cougars.

About Alaska Fairbanks
The Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks are the host team of the Alaska Invitational and have a overall record of 1-1. The Nanooks will play Tiffin and Southwest Baptist before taking on the Lions.

The Nanooks are averaging 80.5 points a game but are surrendering 84.5 on defense.

Alaska Fairbanks are led by Stefan Tica who is averaging 22.5 points and four rebounds. Jarrett Miller is also in double-figures with 15.5 points and four rebounds.

Mick Durham is the head coach of the Nanooks and is in his first season.