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The Lindenwood men's basketball team lost another heartbreaker in overtime on Saturday afternoon. The Lions lost 85-79 in double overtime to the Pittsburg State Gorillas in St. Charles, Mo. It was the second straight game Lindenwood has lost in overtime.

Rebounding was the name of the game, as the Gorillas dominated the glass outrebounding the Lions 49-31 including a 22-8 margin on the offensive boards. Five Gorillas scored in double figures and the Lions were led by Cody Sorenson's 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Lindenwood started fast out of the gate scoring the first five of the game's seven points. Then with just under 15 minutes to play, Pitt State's offense started to click. The visitors went on a 13-3 run to lead by 10 which was the biggest of the game for either team. The Lions were able to cut into the deficit by three and head into the locker room down by seven.

Once again Lindenwood started a half quickly. This half the Lions were able to sustain it and go on a 25-9 run to take a seven point lead with just under 10 minutes to play. Pitt State did not go down quietly though.

The Gorillas answered the Lindenwood run with a quick 7-0 run over three minutes to tie the score at 55. Over the next three minutes, the Lions were able to regain the lead and push that lead up to six with 2:38 to go. Pittsburg State then proceeded to score three straight points to cut the Lindenwood lead to three with just over a minute to play in regulation.
The Gorillas then tied the score up on a three-point play by A.J. Adams with 47 second left. Both teams had three-point attempts to take the lead but both failed and the game headed into overtime.

The first overtime started with a three-pointer by Pitt State then the Lions tied it quickly with three free throws. The teams traded baskets and with 2:06 to go the game was tied at 72. Kaleb Porter gave the visitors a one point lead with a free throw. Then Brett Thompson would tie the score back up with a free throw with 1:12 to play. Neither team scored another point in the final minute and the contest headed into double overtime.

The Lions started the scoring off in double overtime via a Richie Thompson layup. Right back game Pitt State and tied the score, then took a four point lead after four free throws. Sorenson tied it back up with two free throws, but unfortunately that was the last time the Lions were even with the Gorillas. Pitt State made a layup and four free throws with less than a minute to play to ice the win.   

Alex Bazzell scored 14 points after battling cramps in his legs all night. With the 14 points he also becomes the ninth person in school history to surpass 1,000 career points in a Lions uniform. Richie Thompson added 13 points, and Darris Smith chipped in with nine.

Lindenwood shot 47 percent from the field while Pitt State shot 41 percent. The Lions turned the ball over 14 times compared to the Gorillas 10.

After the loss Lindenwood drops to 4-3 overall and 0-2 in MIAA play. Up next for the Lions is a road game against Maryville on Dec. 15.