Lindenwood took care of business at Hyland Arena, defeating Missouri-Kansas City 80-67 in a non-conference matchup. The victory was fueled by a strong performance from Jadis Jones, who notched a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Jones' effort was complemented by a balanced attack from the Lindenwood offense, which saw three players score in double figures.
The game got off to a fast start, with Lindenwood taking a 42-35 lead into halftime. The Lions' offense was clicking, with Jones and Anias Futrell combining for 20 points in the first half. Kansas City's CJ Evans kept the Roos in the game, scoring 12 points in the first half to keep his team within striking distance.
In the second half, Lindenwood continued to pull away, outscoring Kansas City 38-32. Dontrez Williams chipped in with 13 points and 6 assists, while Futrell added 13 points and 5 rebounds. Evans finished with 19 points and 5 assists to lead Kansas City, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lions' balanced attack.
Jayson Petty added 13 points and 6 rebounds for Kansas City, but the Roos struggled to find consistency on offense. Lindenwood's defense held Kansas City to just 32 points in the second half, securing the 13-point victory.
With the win, Lindenwood improves to 12-9 on the season. While the victory may not be a marquee win, it's an important one for the Lions' resume. As a Quadrant 4 game, the win helps to bolster Lindenwood's overall profile, even if it doesn't provide a significant boost. For Kansas City, the loss drops the Roos to 4-17, and it counts as a Quadrant 3 game.
The outcome of this game has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For Lindenwood, the win helps to solidify their position, but they must continue to perform well in their remaining games to make a strong case for a postseason bid. Kansas City, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle, and losses like this one make it increasingly difficult for them to make a push for the tournament.
In terms of resume implications, this result is more of a "check the box" win for Lindenwood. The Lions needed to take care of business against a lower-ranked opponent, and they did just that. While it may not be a flashy win, it's an important one for a team looking to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. For Kansas City, the loss is just another setback in a difficult season, and they must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a late push for the postseason.