Starks Reaches 1,000 Point Milestone

Starks reaches 1,000 point milestone as Lynx storm past Hannibal-LaGrange, 97-67

November 28, 2012

Belleville, Ill. – The Lindenwood – Belleville men’s basketball team defeated Hannibal-LaGrange, 97-67, Wednesday night at Lynx Arena marking the first victory against the Trojans in LU – Belleville history. The Lynx were 0-2 heading into tonight’s game. Todd Starks led the way with 31 points, tying for second all-time in single-game scoring and picking up his 1,000th point as a Lynx.

It was a high-scoring match early on between the Lynx (8-2) and Trojans (1-6), with the score standing at 16-12 in favor of the Lynx just five minutes into the game. At just the 13:50 mark, a three-pointer by Todd Starks gave the senior 10 points, marking the 10th-consecutive game he has reached double figures. Matt Sturdivant and Deon Miner made it three Lynx in double-figures in the first 20 minutes of play, contributing 12 and 13 points, respectively. LU – Belleville held onto the lead through the first half, pulling away with a 12-point lead, before a last-second buzzer shot by Hannibal-LaGrange’s Willie Byrd cut the lead to 48-39 heading into halftime.

LU – Belleville’s momentum carried into the second half, out-scoring the Trojans 49-28. Nearly halfway through the final 20 minutes of play, Starks sank two free-throws as a result of a technical foul charged on HGLU. Brian Byrd followed up with the steal and a slam to give the Lynx a commanding 71-53 lead. A three-pointer soon after would be the shot that made Starks the first Lynx to reach the 1,000th point milestone.

Starks’ 31 points on the night put him tied for second all-time in single-game scoring for the Lynx. Deon Miner put up 21 points and Matt Sturdivant contributed 20 on the night. The Lynx were dominant behind the arc, shooting over 50 percent and holding the Trojans to .179 going 5-for-28 from the three-point range.

The Lynx continue in their best season in program history, returning to the court this weekend at the William Woods Classic in Fulton, Missouri. LU – Belleville will take on host school William Woods Friday at 8 p.m. followed by a 4 p.m. matchup against Columbia College on Saturday.