Box Score
Bolivar, Mo. – SBU played host to the Lindenwood Lions Thursday evening. The SBU men also defeated Lindenwood, in a wild game ending 80-71, improving SBU's record to 9-7 (3-4 MIAA) on the year.
 
Quinn Nelson got the Bearcats off to a hot start, scoring a layup just 16 seconds into the game. Two Karim Mouliom free throws gave SBU an early 4 point lead. A little over two minutes into the game, Nelson made a steal that led to a Godfrey Rolle feed to Chris Rossow for two points. The Lions evened the score at 9 a piece as the clock read 15:32 in the first half. The next points would come from a Damian Prgomet layup followed by an Adnan Jahic three point play, giving SBU a 5 point lead.
 
The Lions made three's on their next two possessions, but Maris Colton scored a layup and Tyler Williams made a three to keep SBU's lead at four. With 9:48 remaining in the half, Karim Mouliom stole the ball and took it all the way as he slammed it down for two. With 6:01 to go in the first half, the Lions narrowed SBU's lead to one. However, Maris Colton and Chris Rossow each nailed three's on their following possessions. Just as Lindenwood chipped away at the Bearcat lead, SBU hit another three, this one coming from Quinn Nelson. With 13 seconds left before halftime, Mouliom made a free throw to give SBU a 10 point lead, but the visitors scored right before the end of the half, creating a 42-34 Bearcat lead going into halftime.
 
Mouliom picked up from where he left off, scoring a layup to begin the second half. The Lions scored 5 consecutive points, but it was Mouliom again, maintaining the Bearcat lead with back to back three's. With 13:38 to go, the Lions cut SBU's lead down to 3 after making a couple three pointers and a layup. Karim Mouliom brought energy back to the crowd as he threw down a massive dunk from Chris Rossow.
 
Four consecutive free throws from Damian Prgomet and Maris Colton helped boost the Bearcat lead back up to 9 just a little under halfway through the second half. The Lions continued their three point success, bringing the score to 57-60 with 8:55 left on the clock. At 6:57, the Lions evened the score at 62 a piece. Free throws from Mouliom and Godfrey Rolle gave SBU a three point lead, but Lindenwood quickly answered and took the lead 66-65 with 4:13 to go. The Bearcats roared back, making a three and a layup late in the half to go up by four. After two Lion free throws, Tyler Williams threw down a nasty dunk in traffic to extend SBU's lead to four again with less than a minute to go. With 46 seconds left, the visitors hit a three to bring them within one. On the following possession, Maris Colton was fouled as he shot, and made one of two free throws to give SBU a 73-71 lead. The last possession was a wild one. The Lions bobbled a pass, but regained possession to make a last second shot. The Lindenwood player drove to the basket as time ran out and threw a shot up against the glass. Maris Colton jumped up and attempted to block the ball, hitting the glass. The Lion bench was furious with the no call by the referee, arguing that the play should have been goaltending. However, slapping the backboard is not considered interference and it is not goaltending, keeping the score 73-71. Chris Rossow was fouled on the rebound with 0.8 seconds left, but prior to his free throws, Quinn Nelson shot 6 free throws due to technical fouls by Lindenwood. Due to the free throws, the final score read 80-71 in favor of SBU.
 
Karim Mouliom finished just 2 rebounds shy of his third double-double, scoring 26 points and 8 rebounds in the win. Quinn Nelson contributed 16 points and Chris Rossow added 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. Maris Colton was the other Bearcat in double digits, scoring 12 points and 7 rebounds.
 
The Bearcats host the Lincoln Blue Tigers on Saturday, January 19 at 3:30 PM.