Lindenwood University Advances to Championships

By STEVE OVERBEY       

The men's basketball teamof the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament on Saturday with a convincing 76-66 victory over William Jewell College at the Robert F. Hyland Arena.     

The second-seeded Lions, 28-4 and ranked 12th in the nation, will take top on top-seeded Evangel University (24-8) for the league title Tuesday night in Springfield.     

Junior guard Kramer Soderberg led a balanced attack with 18 points. He hit five of 12 shots from the field and also handed out five assists.     

Alex Bazzell, a St. Charles West grad, added 16 points. Richard Rose, from Troy, had 15 points and seven rebounds. Alfred Nelson chipped in with 11 points and Brett Thompson scored 10 points and grabbed nine boards.     

All five Lindenwood starters scored in double figures.     

The Lions jumped out to a 14-4 lead after six minutes and took a 32-28 cushion into the break. Lindenwood put the game away with an 8-0 spurt late in the second half. Rose hit a key three-pointer to highlight the run.     

The Lions extracted a measure of revenge from William Jewell, which won both regular season meetings between the schools.     

Lindenwood, with a school record for wins, has already qualified for the NAIA National Tournament, which begins March 16 in Kansas City.