COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Mavericks came up two points short in a 72-70 loss to the Lindenwood Lions on Friday, Nov. 17 at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Omaha's record moves to 2-3 in the loss, while Lindenwood improves to 2-3 on the year.
Leaders for Omaha
Frankie Fidler led the Mavericks with 19 points, including two three pointers and going 5-6 from the free throw line. JJ White and Nick Davis also scored double digits, recording 13 and 10 points, respectively. Davis was one rebound shy of a double double as the big man had nine boards. White, along with Jaeden Marshall and Grant Stubblefield, led Omaha with two assists each.
Leaders for Lindenwood
Lindenwood was led by a 19-point performance from Keenon Cole, who also led the team with eight rebounds. Cole was one of five Lions in double figures in the scoring column as Jaylon McDaniel scored 12, Isaac Ondekane recorded 11, and both Darius Beane and Colin Ruffin had 10 points. Beane also led the team with three assists on the day.
Team Stats
It was a tale of two halves as the Mavericks outshot the Lions 46.9% to 42.4% in the first 20 minutes but ended with Lindenwood shooting 47.3% to Omaha's 42.9%. The Lions also led in three-point shooting, averaging 28.6% compared to the Mavericks' 21.7%. Lindenwood made 76.2% of its free throws, while Omaha shot 73.9% from the charity stripe. The Lions got half of their scoring near the rim as they totaled 36 points in the paint.
Inside the First Half
Omaha and Lindenwood were even through the first five minutes of play. The Mavericks started to take control with a three-pointer from Luke Jungers that put Omaha up 13-6 just 6:28 into the half. Omaha went up by 10 after another three from Tony Osburn at 10:31 and the Mavericks led by as many as 14 after a Marshall layup at the 3:59 mark of the first half. The Lions were able to cut into the lead and make it a five-point game before halftime as the teams went into the break with Omaha ahead 39-34.
Inside the Second Half
Lindenwood got the game even just 3:01 into the second half on a layup and took the lead on the ensuing free throw. Omaha tied the game up briefly before a 10-point run gave the Lions a 63-53 lead with 7:19 to play. The Mavericks cut into the lead with buckets from Marcel Bryant, White and Fidler to make it a 67-63 game with 2:31 to go. It became a free-throw game for the final two minutes. Lindenwood made 76.5% of its free throws in the second half while Omaha shot 70.6% at the line, and the Lions were able to complete the comeback and win 72-70 over the Mavericks.
Game Notes
- White recorded a season-high 13 points with nine of those coming at the free-throw line.
- Omaha totaled 35 points off the bench for the second-straight game.
- Davis was a rebound shy of his first career double double as he scored 10 points and picked up nine rebounds.
Up Next
The Mavericks close the Air Force Classic with a game against the Falcons on Sunday. Tipoff between Omaha and Air Force is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. MT, 3 p.m. CT at Clune Arena on the campus of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
