The Lindenwood men’s basketball team suffocated the Avila Eagles in the first half to help build a 27 point halftime lead and won going away 69-52.
Avila scored the first basket, but the Lions would score 17 straight before the Eagles would score again with 9:53 remaining in the half. The Lindenwood defense would continue to stifle the visitors for the remainder of the period.
Two free throws by Avila’s Tommy Cochran with five seconds remaining in the half prevented the Lions from holding the Eagles to single digits. Lindenwood went into the break owning a 38-11 lead. The 11 points marked the fewest points the team has surrendered in any half this year.
Avila outscored Lindenwood 41-31 in the second half, but would never get closer than the final score to give the Lions their second straight conference victory.
Lindenwood shot 50 percent from the field compared to 33 percent for Avila. Once again, the Lions held the advantage on the glass, outrebounding the Eagles 41-28.
Joey Parker had a game-high 18 points and a team-best five assists.
Brett Thompson added 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks.
Toriano Adams chipped in with eight points and nine rebounds.
Lindenwood (12-4, 4-2) will travel to No. 16 Central Methodist this Thursday for a critical HAAC contest.