Lindenwood put on a show at the NIU Convocation Center, routing Northern Illinois 99-64 in a non-conference matchup. The Lions' high-powered offense was on full display, with Clayton Jackson leading the charge with 21 points. Dontrez Williams and Anias Futrell also made significant contributions, scoring 20 and 15 points, respectively, as Lindenwood improved to 12-9 on the season.
The game was all but over by halftime, with Lindenwood taking a commanding 52-32 lead into the break. Northern Illinois' Makhai Valentine did his best to keep the Huskies in it, scoring 17 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lions' balanced attack. Gustav Winther and Daemar Kelly also reached double figures for Northern Illinois, scoring 15 and 13 points, respectively, but the Huskies' defense was unable to slow down Lindenwood's offense.
Lindenwood's 52-point first half was a reflection of their ability to move the ball and find open shooters. The Lions' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Jackson and Williams doing much of the damage. Northern Illinois, on the other hand, struggled to find any rhythm on offense, with Valentine's 17 points being a rare bright spot.
The second half was more of the same, with Lindenwood continuing to pour it on and Northern Illinois unable to mount a comeback. The Lions' 47-point second half was more than enough to secure the win, and they ultimately emerged with a 35-point victory.
The loss drops Northern Illinois to 7-13 on the season, and it's a Quad 4 defeat that won't do much to help their tournament resume. For Lindenwood, the win is also a Quad 4 victory, but it's a positive result that could help them build momentum as they head into the heart of their schedule.
As it stands, Lindenwood's net ranking of 236 is a respectable mark, and they'll look to continue to climb the rankings with more performances like this. Northern Illinois, on the other hand, must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the postseason. With a net ranking of 319, the Huskies have their work cut out for them, and losses like this one won't make their task any easier.
The win is a significant one for Lindenwood, as it shows they can dominate inferior opponents and take care of business on the road. As they look to build their tournament resume, performances like this one matters in demonstrating their ability to compete with teams from other conferences. With their balanced attack and high-powered offense, the Lions are a team to watch in the coming weeks.