complete game notes in .pdf format
Storyline
The No. 10 Lindenwood men's basketball team has a lot at stake during a two-game road trip on Thursday and Saturday. With a pair of victories, Lindenwood can clinch a share of the HAAC Championship. The title would be the second in school history for the Lions. Along with a share of the conference championship, Lindenwood will receive an automatic bid to the NAIA Division I National Tournament, a first in program history. One final milestone is tying a school record for most wins in a season.
In order to achieve those goals however, Lindenwood will have to win at two places where it has not won a regular season game since the 2005-06 season. On Thursday, the Lions travel to Central Methodist, and then head to MidAmerica Nazarene on Saturday. Both of those squads are having down years, but have been tough to beat on their home courts.
Earlier this season, Lindenwood had an 84-74 win over Central Methodist, and a 97-73 win versus MidAmerica Nazarene.
Last Time Out
Lindenwood has won seven out of its last eight games, including three victories over the last seven days.
The span started with a 75-71 overtime road win last Thursday over Missouri Valley. Kramer Soderberg sent the game to an extra period, and Richard Rose had a key four points and one steal in the extra period. Rose finished with 18 points, and David King had 14 points.
On Saturday, Lindenwood knocked down 17 three-pointers in a 95-82 home win over Graceland. The trio of Rose, Soderberg, and Michael Boos shot over 70 percent from beyond the arc. Rose finished with 27, Soderberg had 20, and Boos compiled 14.
Last Monday, Lindenwood stayed hot from long distance, making eight first-half three-pointers to give the Lions a big halftime lead. The Lions finished things off from there in a 76-54 win over Avila. Boos had the hottest hand and finished with a season-high 21 points. Rose had 11 points and David King grabbed 10 boards.
Wins Record
Lindenwood is currently second in program history for most wins in a season with 24. The school record is 26 which was set during the team's national semifinal appearance in 2005-06.
1,500 Points
Richard Rose surpassed 1,500 career points against Missouri Valley. He is the fourth Lion to reach that mark, joining Earl Austin Jr., Dustin Bevard, and Justin Shrake.
Rose was named the St. Louis Area Player of the Week by earlaustinjr.com.
Three-Point Shooting
Lindenwood currently ranks second in the NAIA by shooting 41.1 percent from three-point range. The Lions are also 15th by making over eight three-pointers a game.
Two individuals, Richard Rose and Michael Boos, are in the top sixth in the nation in three-point percentage. Rose leads by making 52.1 percent of his attempts.
Over the last six games, Lindenwood is shooting 51.6 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 10.7 three-pointers a game.
Free Throw Shooting
Lindenwood is third in the nation in free throw shooting by making 74.8 percent of its shots.
The trio of Kramer Soderberg, Richard Rose, and Alex Bazzell are all shooting over 83 percent. They combine for 86 percent from the charity stripe.
Over the last five games, the Lions are shooting just under 80 percent from the free throw line as a team.
Winning Formula
Lindenwood's winning formula this year has been allowing less than 70 points, outrebounding its opponents, have fewer turnovers than its opponents, and shooting over 45 percent from the field.
The Lions are 14-0 when allowing less than 70 points, 14-0 when outrebounding the opposition, 13-0 when having few turnovers, and 18-0 when shooting over 45 percent.
Top Scoring HAAC Team
Lindenwood leads the HAAC with 78.0 points a game. The Lions are first in free throw shooting and three-point shooting, and third in field goal percentage. They are also first in turning the ball over the fewest times in the conference.
Playing a Little "D"
Lindenwood is second in the conference by allowing 65.3 points a game. The team is second in field goal percentage defense.
Boos Has Hot Hand
Over the last seven games, Michael Boos is shooting 57.6 percent from three-point range and making nearly three three-pointers a game.
Post Scoring
Lindenwood's top four post players are all shooting over 50 percent from the field. Alfred Nelson, Brett Thompson, Garrett Reeg, and David King have combined to shoot 54.1 percent from the field.
HAAC Tournament
Lindenwood has clinched one home game in the HAAC Tournament. The Lions will host the first-round contest on Feb. 3.
Scouting the Eagles
Last year's HAAC Champion is just 9-18 overall and 4-14 in conference play. The Eagles will likely miss the HAAC Tournament, but is coming off a 94-84 win over MidAmerica Nazarene.
Central Methodist leads the HAAC with nearly 10 steals a game and by forcing 16.8 turnovers a game. The Eagles are averaging 70.8 points a game and allowing 74.2 points a game.
Jake Clark leads the team with 14.6 points and 6.0 rebounds a game. Tyler Bredehoeft averages 12.1 points a game, and Curtis Smith averages 9.9 points and leads the team with 92 assists.
Head coach of Central Methodist is Jeff Sherman. He is in his 26th season at the school and has won 474 career games.
Scouting the Pioneers
MidAmerica Nazarene is currently in a three-way tie for fifth place in the HAAC. The Pioneers are 12-14 overall and 7-9 in conference action.
MidAmerica Nazarene is one of the top shooting teams in the HAAC by making 48.5 percent of its shots. The team is second in the HAAC with 77.1 points a game, and it is allowing 75.9 points.
Rustin Dowd is the HAAC leading scorer, averaging 22.0 points a game, and also leads in assists. Lukas Weigel and Keith McCullough also average double-figures.
Head coach of the Pioneers is Rocky Lamar. He is in his 24th season and has won 586 games.
Earlier This Year
Brad Soderberg won his 250th career game in an 84-74 victory over Central Methodist earlier this year.
Lindenwood won the game at the free throw line. The Lions made 29 of 33 shots, compared to 11 of 15 for the Eagles.
All five starters scored in double-figures for Lindenwood, led by Alfred Nelson with 19 points. Alex Bazzell and Kramer Soderberg each scored 16, Richard Rose had 14, and David King scored 10. King led the team with six rebounds.
The Lions played one of their top games of the year in a 97-73 victory over MidAmerica Nazarene. Lindenwood led by 20 points at halftime and had a lead as high as 33 in the second half.
Lindenwood shot 56.3 percent from the field, while the Pioneers shot only 42.9 percent.
King led the team with 20 points after making nine of 11 from the field. Kramer Soderberg had 15 points and a season-high nine assists. Freshmen Michael Boos and Garrett Reeg combined for 17 points. Boos had four three-pointers and Reeg grabbed eight rebounds.
Up Next
Lindenwood ends its regular season at home on Feb. 26 versus William Jewell. The Cardinals are currently just one loss behind the Lions in the loss column.
