Lindenwood's high-powered offense was on full display as they defeated Southeast Missouri State 88-76 at the Show Me Center. The Lions' balanced attack, led by Anias Futrell's impressive 28-point, 11-rebound performance, proved too much for the Redhawks to handle. Futrell's dominant outing was complemented by strong showings from Dontrez Williams, who scored 22 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, and Jadis Jones, who chipped in with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Southeast Missouri State struggled to keep pace with Lindenwood's blistering start, as the Lions built a commanding 45-18 lead by halftime. The Redhawks' offense, which had been averaging a respectable 75 points per game, was stifled by Lindenwood's tenacious defense. Luke Almodovar was one of the few bright spots for Southeast Missouri State, scoring a team-high 21 points, while PJ Farmer added 12 points and 8 rebounds.
Despite a stronger second-half effort, Southeast Missouri State was unable to overcome the significant deficit. The Redhawks outscored Lindenwood 58-43 in the final 20 minutes, but it was too little, too late. Braxton Stacker's 11 points provided a spark for Southeast Missouri State, but it wasn't enough to offset the Lions' well-rounded attack.
The victory improves Lindenwood's record to 12-9, while Southeast Missouri State falls to 11-10. This matchup was classified as a Quadrant 4 game for both teams, which can be challenging to navigate in terms of resume-building. However, Lindenwood's convincing win will likely have a positive impact on their tournament chances, as they continue to build momentum with their high-scoring offense.
Lindenwood's ability to dominate on the road against a decent Southeast Missouri State squad is a reflection of their growth and development as a team. With Futrell, Williams, and Jones forming a formidable core, the Lions are poised to make some noise in their conference. On the other hand, Southeast Missouri State want to regroup and refocus after a disappointing loss, with Almodovar and Farmer leading the charge.
This result will likely have implications for both teams' tournament resumes, as Lindenwood strengthens their case with a solid road win, while Southeast Missouri State must bounce back from a lackluster performance. As the season progresses, Lindenwood's ability to consistently perform at a high level matters in determining their postseason fate. With their impressive win over Southeast Missouri State, the Lions have taken a significant step in the right direction, bolstering their tournament chances and setting themselves up for success in the coming weeks.