SEMO was hot to start the game, taking a 13-2 lead at the 16:26 mark of the opening frame. Lindenwood pulled within six points after a few trips down the court, but the Redhawks continued their strong shooting performance in the first half. After SEMO built an 18-point lead, the Lions scrapped their way to a 36-25 deficit with less than five minutes remaining in the opening 20 minutes. Cole hit a pair of free throws to make it a 45-32 hole at the break.
The Redhawks shot 56.3 percent in the half, including five makes from three-point range. Lindenwood stayed in the game by making 12-of-14 from the charity stripe, and collected nine steals through the first half. Brandon Trimble led the squad with 10 points, and had a pair of steals.
Like the first half, SEMO hit its shots early to hold a 20-point advantage with 14:55 on the clock. After the media time out just one minute later, Lindenwood began to chip away with consecutive buckets and quality defense. Chris Childs knocked down a three-pointer with 11:30 remaining to make it a 65-51 ballgame.
With less than 10 minutes to go in regulation, Keenon Cole threw down a dunk to get the deficit back to single digits. The Redhawks built a buffer of 73-61 with six minutes to go before Jacob Tracey drained a three pointer to generate momentum. At the five-minute mark, Cam Burrell grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back to bring the Lions within seven points after his bonus free throw.
Burrell made it a 76-71 game with 3:22 on the clock, as Kevin Caldwell Jr. made it a one-possession game with a tough layup with under two minutes to go. Childs pulled up from deep to tie the game at 76-76 with 1:05 left in regulation, setting the gym in an uproar. After SEMO took a two-point lead, Childs hit back-to-back clutch free throws to send the game into overtime. Childs had 16 points on 4-of-5 shooting in the second half alone, while the Lions collected 18 points from the bench.
The Redhawks started the first overtime with an 82-80 lead, but the Cole hit a three-point bucket to put the Lions up by one at the halfway point. Trimble knocked down a pair of free throws with 28 seconds remaining to put Lindenwood ahead 92-86. SEMO stayed the course and scored on three-consecutive possession to tie the game at 92-92 and send the game into a second overtime.
Lindenwood fell behind to start the second overtime period, but Caldwell Jr. made a three pointer to make it 95-94 in favor of Lindenwood. The game stayed close, as both teams traded leads and saw the scored tied a few times before SEMO took a 102-101 lead with 28 seconds to go. After a huge offensive rebound, Remy Lemovou scored his first points of the game to make it a 103-102 lead for the Lions with 14 seconds on the clock. Lindenwood forced the Redhawks into a tough shot, which Childs grabbed the rebound, and hit his free throws to close out the miraculous comeback at home.
Childs led the Lions with 25 points on 6-of-12 shooting, as he made 11-of-12 from the charity stripe. Caldwell Jr. collected 18 strong points, and tallied five steals on the defensive end of the court. Trimble collected 17 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including 8-of-12 from the free throw line. Cole went for 16 points with a team-high seven boards and two blocks. Lindenwood held off the Redhawks who had three players scoring 20 points or more. The Lions forced SEMO into 20 turnovers with the help of 17 steals.
Thursday marked the first overtime win since the Lions took down Idaho State on November 23, which marked the first home win over a NCAA Division I opponent. The last time the Lions won a game in double overtime was on February 20, 2021, as the Lions won a pair of double overtime games in that season alone. Lindenwood can advance to the OVC Tournament with a win over Little Rock on Saturday in the season finale. The winner of the Lindenwood and Little Rock on Saturday will claim the final seed of the OVC Tournament, which is set to begin on Wednesday, March 1 in Evansville, Ind.
QUOTABLE
“What a great atmosphere tonight,” said head coach Kyle Gerdeman. “We are building something special, and I can’t thank our students and community enough. This team continues to fight. What an incredible win for us this time of year. We’ll get ready for Saturday and be ready for a great game.”
GAME LEADERS
Chris Childs (25 PTS, 6-of-12 FG, 2-of-2 3FG, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL)
Kevin Caldwell Jr. (18 PTS, 7-of-13 FG, 3-of-6 3FG, 5 STL, 3 AST, 2 REB)
Brandon Trimble (17 PTS, 4-of-6 FG, 4 REB, 2 STL)
Keenon Cole (16 PTS, 5-of-10 FG, 7 REB, 2 BLK, 1 STL)
Cam Burrell (13 PTS, 5-of-10 FG, 4 REB, 3 STL, 3 AST, 1 BLK)
UP NEXT
The Lions will host Little Rock for the final game of the regular season, and a battle for the final spot in the conference tournament. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. from Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo.
