Box Score Lindenwood University forward Chandler Diekvoss led the Lions in scoring last season and did so tonight to help LU past the University of Minnesota Duluth 69-61 at the MIAA/NSIC Classic in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Diekvoss scored 16 of his game-high 26 points in the second half as the Lions mounted a second-half surge to take the lead with 12 minutes remaining. The Bulldogs had the lead sliced to one with under 10 to play but were unable to capitalize. Both squads were held scoreless for over three minutes until the Lions (2-0) went on a 9-1 run before the closing minutes to seal the victory.

For the second night in a row, UMD (0-2 overall) was unable to protect its first half lead. The Bulldogs left the JustAGame Fieldhhouse winless for the second straight season and have come up empty versus the Lions in their second all-time meeting.

Sophomore forward Brandon Myer scored 19 points to lead UMD. Myer was 6-of-11 from the floor, hit all four of his free throws and was one rebound shy of recording a double-double. Sophomore forward Luke Harris added 12 of his own and sophomore guard Trevor Entwisle, who led the team in scoring on opening night, knocked down eight and registered three assists in 36 minutes of action. UMD shot 39 percent from the field, LU hit 41 percent.

"It was somewhat of a carbon copy of last night," said head coach Matt Bowen. "We didn't execute as crisply as we did in the first half. We have been too inconsistent as we have played two good halves out of four. We have done good things in the opening weekend and need to put it all together for 40 minutes."

UMD trailed in the first few minutes but went on a 11-0 run spurred by back-to-back-to-back three pointers by Myer and Harris to jump out to a 25-16 lead midway through the first half. The Bulldogs held the lead, trading buckets with LU and constructed its biggest advantage of the night at 39-28 off a jumper by Harris with 2:12 to go in the half. UMD, which was 7-of-13 from behind the arc, carried a 39-32 lead into the half and outshot the Lions 53-33 percent in the half. 

Sixteen of the Bulldogs' 30 attempts fell in the opening 20 minutes, however only five dropped in the final 20 as UMD went into a shooting slump. The Bulldogs missed their first eight attempts in the second half then missed seven straight shots later to allow the Lions to wipe away the seven point deficit and lead by nine. The three-ball, which helped UMD in the first, fell silent as Myer drained the only three-point bucket in the second. LU made its last five free throws in the assertive comeback effort by UMD.

The Bulldogs have 11 days to regroup before their next appearance. They travel to Houghton, Mich. to square off versus Michigan Tech on Nov. 22. Game time for the first tip is set for 5:00 p.m.