SAINT CHARLES, Mo. (Interstat) — Lindenwood held off Charleston Southern 20-17 in a season opener Thursday night at Hunter Stadium. The Lions improved to 1-0, while the Buccaneers dropped to 0-1.

Lindenwood jumped to a 10-3 halftime lead, scoring 10 points in the second quarter. Charleston Southern opened the scoring with a 50-yard field goal in the second. The Lions added a touchdown in the third quarter and a field goal in the fourth to take a 20-3 advantage. The Buccaneers trailed 20-3 before their late surge. Charleston Southern responded with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to three. Lek Powell threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Green with 2:03 remaining to draw the Buccaneers within 20-17, but Lindenwood held on. The Lions converted two field goals, and their defense stopped the Bucs’ final possession. Powell’s touchdown pass highlighted a late rally that fell short. Charleston Southern next plays at Georgia Southern on Sept. 5, and Lindenwood travels to Stony Brook on Sept. 3.