Game #11
Lindenwood (3-6, 0-0 OVC)
at IUPUI (3-8, 0-2 HL)
Match Information:
Date: Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023
Location: Indianapolis, Ind.
Venue: Indiana Farmers Coliseum
Tip-Off: 11:00 a.m. CT
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Watch

Matchup
The Lindenwood men's basketball team goes back on the road after splitting their last two at Hyland Arena as they travel to Indianapolis, Ind. to take on IUPUI at 11:00 a.m. CT at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Lindenwood is looking for their first road win of the season during this first game between the two.

Lindenwood stopped a three game skid as they defeated Avila University (Mo.) on Tuesday in Hyland by a final score of 81-64. Keenon Cole had a career high 25 points on 9-18 shooting in the win. Post player Jaylon McDaniel also chipped in 12 points during the Lions' win.

IUPUI sits at 3-8 on the season with a 2-1 home record. In their last game, the Jaguars lost to Big Ten opponent Minnesota by a final score of 65-101. IUPUI previously took on fellow Ohio Valley Conference opponent Eastern Illinois earlier this season and lost by a final score of 58-75 on the road.

On the season, Lindenwood is shooting 41.0% from the field while making 72.2% from the line which ranks third in the OVC. In their last game against Avila, Lindenwood shot 45.8% from the field for the game. The Lions had three scorers in double-figures while making a season high 23 from the line.

To begin the season, the Lions were picked to finish 10th in the Ohio Valley Conference as they begin their second Division I season in program history under head coach Kyle Gerdeman.

Player to Watch
Cole has been the main attraction as the go to player for the Lions on the offensive end of the floor. He ranks first on the team this season in points (175), points per game (17.5) and free throws made (47). He is also shooting 81.0% from the foul line to lead the Lions.

Through 10 games this season, Cole has now scored in double-figures in every single game including three games with over 20 points. He is the first player since Jacoby Ross during the 2021-22 season to score 10+ in the first 10 games.

OVC Top Ten
With his average of 17.5 points per game, Cole ranks second in the conference in scoring. His 175 total points ranks fifth in the OVC. Not only his he effective from the floor, but Cole's 81.0% from the FT ranks fifth in the OVC. Cole's 47 made foul shots also ranks first. He is also averaging the fourth most minutes in the conference (32.8). Cole also ranks 10th in FG% sitting at 42.6%.

Darius Beane ranks just outside the top ten in the OVC in scoring averaging 14.1 points per game. He has now scored in six straight games in double-figures while ranking second on the team in scoring. Among qualified players in the OVC, he ranks second in FG% with a 50.9%. 

Colin Ruffin has also been active on defense averaging the second most steals in the entire conference with an average of 1.5. He has a total of 15 steals this season during his freshman season.

OVC Preseason Rankings
In a vote of Ohio Valley Conference head men's basketball coaches and communication directors, Morehead State has been picked the preseason favorites for the 2023-24 season. It marks the second-straight year the Eagles have been tabbed the favorites.
 
The Eagles picked up 20 of 22 first-place votes (teams could not vote for themselves); Tennessee State picked up the other votes.  MSU tallied 200 points and was followed by SIUE (162), who was picked second. Tennessee State (153) was picked third and followed by UT Martin (149), Southeast Missouri (124), Tennessee Tech (120), Little Rock (85), Western Illinois (80), Southern Indiana (63), Lindenwood (40) and Eastern Illinois (34).

Scouting IUPUI
The Jaguars are led by Matt Crenshaw in his third season at the helm at IUPUI. He is the program's all-time leading assister. During his three-year tenure at IUPUI, he has an 11-61 record. His team currently sits at 3-8 on the season with an 0-2 record in the Horizon League.

Jlynn Counter is the Jaguars' leading scorer averaging 15.4 points per game through 11 games. He is shooting 50% from long range this season while shooting 52.3% from the field. He is also second on the team in rebounds averaging 4.7. He is one of two players that have stated all 11 games. 

Head Coach: Kyle Gerdeman
Kyle Gerdeman enters his fifth year at the helm of the Lindenwood men's basketball program in the 2023-24 season. The Lions concluded their inaugural Division I season in 2022-23 where Gerdeman led the Lions to an appearances in the OVC Tournament after a wild finish to the season.

The Lions took down in-state rival Southeast Missouri State in double-overtime to keep their postseason hopes alive.  In the final game of the regular season, Lindenwood needed a win to move on, and Kevin Caldwell Jr. answered the call with a game-winning bucket in overtime.

Lindenwood led the OVC in free-throw percentage (75.6), and was second in the OVC in three-point percentage (39.1).  Chris Childs held the top spot in the league with a free-throw percentage of 92.7, while Keenon Cole was atop the OVC with a three-point percentage of 51.0 percent.  The Lions clawed their way to three overtime wins on the season.  Lindenwood also posted two comeback victories from 20 points down, and another 17-point comeback during OVC play.

Up Next
The Lions continue their road stretch before the holiday break as they head the Springfield, Ill. to take on Missouri State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.