Lindenwood's Jadis Jones stole the show at Groniger Arena, leading his team to an 82-74 victory over Eastern Illinois. Jones' impressive 23-point, 9-rebound performance set the tone for the Lions, who outscored the Panthers 48-33 in the second half to secure the win. Eastern Illinois' Kooper Jacobi had a notable game as well, posting 20 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lions' strong second-half surge.
The first half saw Eastern Illinois take a 41-34 lead into the break, with Jacobi and Malik Olafioye combining for 19 points. However, Lindenwood's Dontrez Williams and Anias Futrell helped keep the Lions within striking distance, scoring 10 and 9 points, respectively, in the opening period. As the second half got underway, Lindenwood's offense began to click, with Jones and Williams leading the charge. The Lions went on a 12-2 run midway through the half, taking a 64-58 lead and never looking back.
Eastern Illinois' Zion Fruster tried to keep his team in the game, scoring 7 of his 14 points in the second half, but Lindenwood's balanced attack proved too much to handle. The Lions had three players score in double figures, with Jones, Williams, and Futrell accounting for 56 of the team's 82 points. Jacobi's double-double was a bright spot for Eastern Illinois, but the Panthers' inability to contain Lindenwood's offense ultimately proved costly.
With the win, Lindenwood improves to 12-9 on the season, while Eastern Illinois falls to 9-12. The game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for both teams, which may not carry significant weight in terms of tournament implications. However, the victory does help Lindenwood build momentum as it approaches the midpoint of its season. For Eastern Illinois, the loss is a missed opportunity to pick up a win against a team with a similar profile.
In terms of resume implications, this result is unlikely to have a major impact on either team's tournament chances. Lindenwood's current net ranking of 236 suggests the Lions still have work to do to become a serious contender, while Eastern Illinois' net ranking of 304 indicates the Panthers face an uphill climb to become a viable postseason candidate. Nevertheless, Lindenwood's win is a positive step forward, and the Lions want to build on this performance as they move forward. For Eastern Illinois, the focus will be on regrouping and preparing for its next challenge, with the hope of bouncing back from this setback.