Wednesday's Game at a Glance• Lindenwood has just one week remaining in the regular season and will kick it off with a home game on Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. against Central Missouri. The Lions are currently fifth in the MIAA standings, but are looking to move into the top-four in order to receive a bye in the first-round of the MIAA Tournament.
• The Lions have struggled since the start of February, going 0-5 for the month. Lindenwood is currently 15-11 on the season. Last time out, the Lions fell to Nebraska-Kearney by a 77-61 score.
• Central Missouri was nationally-ranked early in the season, but it has lost six straight games, and eight of its last nine. The Mules, after falling 78-71 to Missouri Southern last Saturday, are now 13-13 overall and 7-13 in MIAA play.
• Central Missouri leads the all-time series by a 7-2 margin, but it is just 1-2 in games played in St. Charles.
• Earlier this season, the Mules defeated Lindenwood in Warrensburg by a 54-41 score. The Lions shot just 24.0 percent in the first half and trailed 29-15 at halftime. Lindenwood ended the game shooting just 34.8 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from three-point range.
Lindenwood Notes• Lindenwood leads the MIAA in scoring defense (65.6), field-goal percentage defense (.406), and blocks (5.15). It is 11th in NCAA Division II in scoring defense, 19th in field-goal percentage defense, and seventh in blocks.
• Lindenwood also ranks in the top-25 nationally for fewest fouls (eighth). It is 26th in free-throw percentage and 36th in rebounding margin.
• The Lions have been involved in a lot of close games this year, with 15 being decided by 10 points or less. Eight of Lindenwood's last nine games have been decided by that margin.
• The first time through the MIAA, which included nine home games, the Lions were 9-4. Lindenwood shot 45.5 percent from the field and held opponents to a 38.0 shooting percentage. When facing MIAA teams the second time, including just one home game, Lindenwood is 2-5. The Lions are shooting 43.9 percent, and opponents are shooting 44.6 percent.
• Lindenwood has outrebounded its opponents in every game this season but three. In its first meeting with Central Missouri, the Lions had a +13 rebounding margin, which was the team's third-best mark this year. They have 14 games in which they have collected a +5 margin or higher.
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Cory Arentsen has made 72 three-pointers this season, the fourth-most in Lindenwood history for a single-season. He needs one more to move into third-place. Arentsen's current scoring average of 22.6 would be the second-highest mark in school history for a season.
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Stanislas Heili has already broken the school's single-season blocking record. He is also moving up the school's rebounding list, as his 209 rebounds this season is currently eighth.
• In the latest NCAA Division II statistics,
Cory Arentsen is 18th in scoring and seven in free-throw percentage.
Stanislas Heili is 12th in blocked shots.
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LJ McIntosh had a career-high 14 points against Nebraska-Kearney. He now has six double-figure scoring games this season, and 11 for his career.
• Wednesday's game will be the final home regular season contest for seniors
Cory Arentsen,
Zachary Biggs,
Stanislas Heili, and
Sam Mader.
• The MIAA Tournament begins next Tuesday with seeds five through eight hosting seeds nine through 12. Those four winners, along with the top four seeds, will advance to Kansas City, which starts on March 4.
A Look At Central Missouri• The Mules are in a three-way for 11th-place in the MIAA entering this week, and Central Missouri needs a strong finish to make the MIAA Touranment field.
• Central Missouri is currently third in the MIAA allowing just 69.5 points a game. The Mules are also third in field-goal percentage defense and second in three-point field-goal percentage defense.
• D'Marnier Cunningham leads the team in scoring with 15.5 points a game. Spencer Reaves is seconds with 12.3 points a game, and he has made 50 three-pointers on the year.
• Other team leaders include Marquiez Lawrence with 7.2 rebounds a game and 29 blocks, and D'Marnier Cunningham with 76 assists and 38 steals.
