BELLEVILLE — The Lindenwood-Bellevillemen's basketball team continued their win-streak Thursday night with a 98-86 win over Harris-Stowe State University.
The Lynx (5-0) remain undefeated, fighting off the Hornets (0-2) who were hungry for their first win of the season.
The Lynx jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the game, setting the tone for what would prove to be a physical showcase by both teams. Harris-Stowe got on the board at the 17-minute mark, but two more buckets by the Lynx would force the Hornets into a timeout. LU-Belleville held a commanding lead until the final minute, as the Hornets pulled within 11 points of the Lynx. But a last-second bucket by Tyler Boring put the Lynx up 48-35 heading into the half. Deon Miner reached double-digits by the eight-minute mark, finishing with 17 in the first half. Matt Sturdivant also reached double-digits early, contributing 11 points in the first 20 minutes of play.
The Lynx momentum carried into the second half, maintaining a double-digit lead through the first 10 minutes of play. But the Hornets answered with nine minutes remaining, pulling within nine points of LU-Belleville. Boring came up big with the and-one to put the Lynx back up, 85-73. The lead wouldn't last for long, as Harris-Stowe fought back, longing for their first win of the season.
With just under two minutes to play, the Hornets came from behind closing the gap to an eight-point lead in favor of the Lynx, the closest they had been since the start of the game. Miner came up big with a layup to go up ten over the Hornets, as both teams traded buckets until the final 20 seconds of the game. The Lynx held on and pulled away with a 98-86 win to remain undefeated on the season.
The starters carried the Lynx throughout the game, as all five saw double-digits on the night. Miner led the team with 23 points, his second-consecutive double-digit game of the year. Sturdivant put up 19 on the night, accompanied by 11 rebounds for this second double-double of the season, while Steve Roper added 16 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double in a Lynx uniform. Boring and Starks both contributed 14 on the night, wrapping up the starting five's scoring contributions. John Krodinger and Brian Byrd combined for 12 points off the bench.
The Hornets were held to a 39.5 shooting percentage on the night, and were out-rebounded 54 to 38. Free throws were key in Thursday night's physical matchup between the two rivals, the Lynx shooting 71 percent from the line, to the Hornet's 51.6 percent.
The Lynx take a break this weekend, and will be back in action Tuesday at Culver-Stockton for a 7 p.m. game against the Wildcats.
