The men’s basketball team likes to play it close, and Saturday was no exception.

The team traveled to Lindenwood University where it squeaked out a road win, 77-74.<br/>With 10 seconds left in regulation, Lindenwood scored to tie the game at 74.  Junior Brock Entner took a foul that sent him to the free-throw line with 3.3 seconds on the clock. After hitting both, the Wildcats took the lead 76-74.With 10 seconds left in regulation, Lindenwood scored to tie the game at 74.  Junior Brock Entner took a foul that sent him to the free-throw line with 3.3 seconds on the clock. After hitting both, the Wildcats took the lead 76-74.
With 10 seconds left in regulation, Lindenwood scored to tie the game at 74.  Junior Brock Entner took a foul that sent him to the free-throw line with 3.3 seconds on the clock. After hitting both, the Wildcats took the lead 76-74.

After a turnover by the Lions on the inbound pass, junior Malcolm Greer was hacked, giving him two chances at the charity stripe. Greer hit the first and missed the second.  <br/>Headed to the other end, the Lions threw up a three-point prayer shot that rattled in and out, handing the Wildcats their victory.Headed to the other end, the Lions threw up a three-point prayer shot that rattled in and out, handing the Wildcats their victory.
Headed to the other end, the Lions threw up a three-point prayer shot that rattled in and out, handing the Wildcats their victory.

Head coach Rick Weaver said the team really turned around from its Dec. 6 matchup against Lindenwood, which ended in a 90-62 loss.

“The guys played a solid game overall and really competed hard at both ends,” Weaver said.  “Lindenwood has some serious talent, but we were able to hang around and get the job done down the stretch.”

The Wildcats improved greatly on turnovers, an area Weaver said they have been working on. The team finished the game with only five.

Entner said team play is what pushed the men past the Lions.

“This game we didn’t turn the ball over as many times as we usually do,” he said. “We executed a lot better, played as a team and made the extra pass. Everyone slowed down and didn’t try to force anything.”

The Wildcats were led by Greer, who put up 20 points, followed by seniors Heath Baird and Justin Houser, scoring 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Senior Nick Iversen said the team has learned to play well with each other, as many players are new to the roster.

“We had five guys in double figures and we’re playing really well together,” he said. “We have a lot of new guys, so it took some time to get the plays down.”

Unfortunately, the Jan. 29 nail-biter matchup against Benedictine College didn’t have the same outcome.

After beating the Ravens in Atchison during their first conference game of the season, the Wildcats were unable to duplicate their success and lost 66-62 in Collins Center.<br/>Baird led all scorers with 14 points, while Entner and Houser put up 13 and 11, respectively. Houser also grabbed eight boards.Baird led all scorers with 14 points, while Entner and Houser put up 13 and 11, respectively. Houser also grabbed eight boards.
Baird led all scorers with 14 points, while Entner and Houser put up 13 and 11, respectively. Houser also grabbed eight boards.

“We had a chance at the end to win but we came up just short,” Weaver said. “It was a typical Baker-Benedictine game that came down to the final minute.”

The Wildcats traveled to Central Methodist University Thursday. Results were unavailable at presstime. This was the second of a four-game road trip for Baker.

Saturday marks the rematch against Evangel University when the team travels to Springfield, Mo.  The final game of the trip will be in Kansas City, Mo., to face Avila University Thursday. Baker was also successful against the Eagles in their first meeting, pulling out an 80-77 win.

Although the Wildcats beat the Crusaders early in the season, 88-71 Dec. 4, Iversen said they must be ready for a good game.

“They’re going to be pretty hungry when we’re at their spot, especially since we stole one here,” he said. “We have to keep on playing team basketball.”