The Lindenwood men's basketball team defeated Wisconsin-Parkside 75-74 in the Prairie Stars Tip-Off Classic in Springfield, Ill. behind a career-high 34 points from junior TJ Crockett. The effort helped secure the first victory for new head coach Kyle Gerdeman.

GAME OVERVIEW
Both teams battled to take control of this game early on, and as a result traded the lead back and forth. Crockett was on fire early scoring 15 of Lindenwood's first 23 points. He finished the first 20 minutes of play with 21 points on 8-of-13 from the field. Junior transfer Anthony Christian also chipped in nine points and two rebounds on 4-of-5 shooting in just 11 minutes of game action in the first half. The Lindenwood defense was able to force Parkside into six turnovers in the opening half, enabling the Lions to take a 42-36 lead into halftime.

The Rangers made some quality adjustments to open up the second half, going on a 14-6 run to take their first lead 50-48 at the 14:27 mark. Lindenwood would respond to the run and take the lead back 62-56 with just over eight minutes left in the contest. Parkside would once again battle back to tie the game 68-68 at the 4:40 mark of the second half. Crockett would make another big time play, hitting a go-ahead three-pointer to give the Lions a 73-72 lead with 1:21 to go.

After trading defensive stops, Parkside would hit a jumper to regain the lead with 18 seconds left. Coming out of a timeout, Christian would hit a layup with five seconds remaining to, again, give the Lions the lead. Lindenwood would come up with one more clutch defensive stop to seal the victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- TJ Crockett finished the game with a new career high 34 points on 13-of-25 shooting from the field.
- Anthony Christian was the other Lion in double figures adding 11 points on 5-of-8 from the field.
- Lindenwood shot 40.8 percent from floor as a team.
- This is Lindenwood's fifth straight season-opening victory.

QUOTABLE
Head Coach Kyle Gerdeman
"Obviously it's always great to win, but I would have been proud of our team win or lose tonight," said Coach Gerdeman. "We started a journey back in August, and I've told them numerous times how much I appreciate their buy in, work ethic, staff, roster, and program. It showed tonight."

UP NEXT
LIndenwood will continue play in the Prairie Stars Tip-Off classic tomorrow afternoon with a game against Ohio Valley University. Opening tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.