INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Lindenwood men's basketball (5-6, 0-0 OVC) picked up a 73-67 win at IUPUI (3-9, 0-2 HL) marking their first road win of the season. LU shot 45.1% from the field marking the fifth time this season they have shot over 45%.

"Great win for our guys on the road today," said head coach Kyle Gerdeman. "It takes a team effort and a lot of focus to win on the road, and I thought we did a good job in both areas. We made the plays down the stretch to win the game, and I was really happy four our players."

Keenon Cole has now broken his own career high in back-to-back games after posting 26 points against the Jaguars. Cole shot 11-19 from the field (57.9%) and made 4-5 from the line. He was also tied for the lead on the team in rebounds with six.

The first four minutes of play saw the Lions being led by Jeremiah Talton who started out 3-3 from the floor including two threes. He scored eight of Lindenwood's first 12 points of the game.
 
Lindenwood kept the pressure on midway through the first half after five points from Keith Haymon II and an and-one from Darius Beane which push the lead out to 10 points at the 12:17 mark. Beane finished the game with 16 points, extending his streak to seven straight games in double-figures.
 
The Lions' held a seven point advantage most of the way during the first 20 minutes of action before the offense struggled from the field late. LU was held without a field goal for over three minutes of action before Cole scored a layup with 2:50 left to play. Cole had 11 points in the first half to continue his stretch of 11 straight games in double figures.

IUPUI took the first lead of the afternoon after a driving layup by the Jaguars' season leading scorer Jlynn Counter at the 2:00 mark. Beane then hit his first three of the season to give Lindenwood the lead back. Bryce Monroe's layup with under a minute remaining gave IUPUI the lead heading into halftime.
 
Lindenwood shot 44.4% from the floor in the opening half (12-27) including hitting three threes. IUPUI caught fire late helping them shoot 56.0% going into halftime. They were also a perfect 7-7 from the line in the first half.

Coming out of the break, Lindenwood jumped out on a 9-0 run including two buckets from Cole and a three-pointer from Colin Ruffin. Ruffin sat out most of the first half due to two fouls in the first minute of play.

The Lions' defense held IUPUI without a field goal for the first 9:53 of the half. Haymon II helped stretch the lead out for the Lions to a game high 13 points at the 9:30 mark. After shooting 2-4 from the game, Haymon finished with 11 points including going 6-6 from the foul line.

IUPUI gained momentum late in the second half by cutting the lead to six after an and one by Bryce Monroe. Lindenwood was held scoreless for nearly six minutes (9:00-3:24) before Ruffin hit a two point jumper. Ruffin's jumped had stopped a 12-0 run that tied the game for the Jaguars.

Beane's effectiveness to drive the lane created an and-one opportunity for the red-shirt senior to stretch the lead to 69-64. Cole would ice the game with two foul shots giving Lindenwood a seven point advantage. LU created a five second call to force a turnover to end the game.

Tommie Williams had just one point, but grabbed a team high six rebounds while blocking a season high three shots. Ruffin also grabbed six rebounds while also scoring five points and picking up two steals. Jaylon McDaniel scored all six of his points from the line. Counter finished with 23 to lead IUPUI.

The Lions will travel to Springfield, Mo. to take on Missouri State on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7:00 p.m. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.