In a stunning turn of events, Lindenwood pulled off a significant upset on the road, defeating Charleston Southern 83-77 at the Event Center. This victory marked a major statement for the Lions, as they took down a Buccaneers team that was expected to come out on top. The 6-point margin of victory belies the significance of this win, as Lindenwood overcame a 13-point halftime deficit to emerge victorious.
Charleston Southern came out strong, led by Brycen Blaine's impressive all-around performance. Blaine finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, but it wasn't enough to propel the Buccaneers to victory. At halftime, Charleston Southern held a commanding 41-28 lead, and it seemed as though they would cruise to an easy win. However, Lindenwood had other plans.
Jadis Jones was the catalyst for the Lions' comeback, pouring in 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. His dominant performance sparked a 55-point second-half outburst from Lindenwood, as they outscored Charleston Southern 55-36 in the final 20 minutes. Milos Nenadic and Clayton Jackson also made significant contributions, with 15 points and 13 rebounds, and 14 points and 7 rebounds, respectively.
The win is a huge boost for Lindenwood's resume, as they took down a Charleston Southern team that, while not a powerhouse, is still a respectable opponent. This victory will be classified as a Quadrant 4 win for the Lions, but the fact that they were able to overcome a significant deficit on the road makes it a more impressive achievement. For Charleston Southern, this loss will be a Quadrant 4 defeat, which could have implications for their tournament chances down the line.
Without a pre-game prediction to reference, it's clear that Lindenwood exceeded expectations with this win. The Lions' ability to adapt and overcome a tough first half will serve them well as they continue through their schedule. As for Charleston Southern, they must regroup and refocus after this disappointing loss.
The implications of this result are significant, as Lindenwood has now improved to 12-9 on the season. While they still have work to do to become a serious tournament contender, this win will undoubtedly be a highlight on their resume. For Charleston Southern, the loss drops them to 11-11, and they must string together some wins to get back on track. As the season wears on, this upset victory will be remembered as a key moment in Lindenwood's campaign, and a potentially costly slip-up for Charleston Southern.