SCOTT MANDZIARA | Reporter

Junior guard Brad Newman scored a career-high 31 points on Saturday afternoon as Lindenwood (16-12) defeated Missouri Western (6-20) 88-70.

Newman’s 31 points are the most in a game by a Lion this season.

Lindenwood’s offense exploded against the Griffons. Its field goal percentage was 63.5 (33-52), a season-high as well. The players shot 57 percent from the field in the first half and 70 percent from the field in the second half, according to Lindenwood Athletics.

The Lions never gave up the lead. The score at the half was 42-32. The 88 points that the Lions scored was the most they’ve scored in a game since Dec. 19 against Robert Morris University when they scored 112 points in their win.

The Lions had four players that scored in double digits. Junior guard Chandler Diekvoss scored 16 points on 6-8 shooting from the field. Junior guard Jackson Price scored 12 points, and sophomore forward Max Meylor scored 12 points on 4-4 shooting from the field.

It was also senior night in Hyland Arena on Saturday afternoon as the Lions honored their only senior, Landon Mills. Mills’ 4 points were the most points in all of his MIAA games this season, as his role has been more of a defensive specialist.

Coming up for the Lions they will travel to Hays, Kansas, for the first round of the MIAA playoffs. They will take on Fort Hays State at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27. The only time these two teams met up this season was at Hyland Arena as the Lions defeated the Tigers 69-63.