SCOTT MANDZIARA | Reporter
The Lindenwood men’s basketball (16-13) team fell to Fort Hays State (18-11) 71-65 in the opening round of the MIAA playoffs.
Lindenwood was lead by Brad Newman, who finished with 26 points. Newman averaged 28.5 points in the last two games of the season. Jackson Price also contributed 20 points on 6-12 shooting from the field including a team-high four 3-pointers.
The Lions traveled west to Hays, Kansas, to compete in round of one of the MIAA playoffs on Tuesday night. Coming into the game the Lions had won two of their last three games, including a win over a top-five seeded team, the University of Central Missouri.
Starting for Lindenwood was junior guard Brad Newman, junior guard Jackson Price, junior forward Chandler Diekvoss, junior guard Adam Pohlman and junior forward Drew Moore. Lindenwood was 2-1 this season going with that starting lineup.
The Lions got off to a slow start, scoring 11 points in the first 14:57 seconds of play. The lead got as big as 10 points in the first half, according to Lindenwood Athletics.
After falling behind by 13 early in the second half Lindenwood made a push. The Lions came all the way back to come within two points of the lead, 62-60, with 2:19 to play after a Price 3-pointer. Lindenwood was then down three with 18 seconds to play after two good free throws from Newman. The Lions fouled and the Tigers made one free throw to extend the lead to 69-65.
This concludes the Lions fourth consecutive winning season. The Lions will return all players except for their lone senior, Landon Mills.
