INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI basketball team nearly overcame a 13-point second half deficit before ultimately falling short to Lindenwood on Saturday inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum, 73-67. Junior Jlynn Counter tallied a season-high 23 points, including hitting 13-of-14 at the charity stripe, and DJ Jackson added 14 points in his first start of the season. 

Keenon Cole hit 11-of-19 shots for Lindenwood (5-6) en route to a game-high 26 points for the victors. 

After a slow start, IUPUI (3-9) shot 56 percent in the opening half and ultimately took a 37-35 lead into the half. However, Lindenwood opened the second half with the first nine points to build a seven-point lead. 

The Jaguars were forced to play uphill as the Lions built a double-digit lead, peaking at 60-47 with 8:14 to play. 

However, IUPUI rallied furiously, eventually tying the score at 62 all with 3:43 left on Vincent Brady II's twisting left-handed layup. Lindenwood countered with a Colin Ruffin jumper on its next possession and never relinquished the lead. The Jags had a chance to make it a one possession game after Counter blocked a shot to force a defensive stop with 44 seconds left. However, Bryce Monroe misfired on a drive and Lindenwood took possession on a jump ball situation to essentially seal the victory. 

Lindenwood finished the game shooting 45.1 percent from the floor and 22-of-27 (81.5 percent) from the charity stripe. IUPUI closed at 43.1 percent overall and hit 84 percent from the free throw line. 

Jackson scored his 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting and also collected three steals. Monroe and Brady each scored seven points and Qwanzi Samuels contributed six points and a game-high nine rebounds. 

IUPUI forced 17 Lindenwood turnovers and outscored the Lions 18-11 in points off turnovers. 

The Jaguars will continue their four-game homestand on Thursday (Dec. 21) when they host Defiance College at 7:00 p.m. inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum.