The Linn-Mar Lions came into Friday night's showdown with top-ranked Iowa City West intent on winning.

"We didn't show up just to play them close," said Coach Chris Robertson. "Our mindset was to win the game."

They nearly pulled it off and may have got the job done had it not been for the play of West junior Alex Henderson.

The pesky guard came off the bench to hit all six of his field-goal attempts. He finished with 15 points as the Trojans closed the game on an 8-3 run to escape with a 61-56 win over the No. 8 Lions before an enthusiastic crowd in the Linn-Mar gym.

Robertson said Henderson was on the Lions' scouting report.

"He was on there," Robertson said. "They have so many good players that you just can't focus on any one guy. (Henderson) played a really good game."

It wasn't just his offense. Henderson was one of the crew that made the going tough for Linn-Mar's talented guard tandem of Jordan Bohannon and Nic Uhlir.

"They are all about defense," Bohannon said. "They make it tough to get shots off."

Bohannon, who finished with five 3-pointers and a game-high 24 points, nearly willed his team to the upset. His 3-point basket with 46 seconds left cut West's lead to 57-56.

Connor McCaffery converted two foul shots for West (11-0, 7-0 MVC) with 37 seconds left, forcing the Lions to look for a tying trey.

"They are just so long," Robertson said in reference to West. "It makes it tough to get a shot off, especially when they can get their hands on you."

The Lions worked the ball around to Uhlir, who launched up a long 3 with just under 10 seconds remaining. It was well off the mark and McCaffery was fouled with just under three seconds remaining. His two free throws sealed the verdict.

"I knew it was going to be one of those games," Bohannon said. "We were keeping it close and I figured it would come right down to the end."

The Lions got off to a slow start, falling behind 17-6 after a David DiLeo trey to start the second quarter.

"We didn't start well in the first quarter," admitted Bohannon, "but we really got things going in the second quarter."

The Lions got hot from beyond the arc as four different players hit 3-point shots. The final one came from Jordan Brandt in the final seconds of the half to bring the Lions within two at 29-27.

Brandt hit another 3 with 2:55 left in the third to put the Lions on top 40-39. Bohannon's trey just ahead of the third-period buzzer gave the Lions a 49-46 lead.

West regained the lead on a DiLeo follow with 4:37 left. After Brandt's foul shots tied the game at 53, West sophomore Devontae Lane hit a short jumper in the lane to put West up for good. He finished with 13 points. McCaffery led West with 16.

"I was proud of the way we competed tonight," Robertson said. "I think we showed what kind of team we are."

The Lions (8-2, 6-1) have a short turnaround with a game Saturday at Ankeny Centennial.

"We just have to show up ready to play," Bohannon said. "It will be a challenge to go up there, but I think we will be ready to play."

IOWA CITY WEST (61): Wali Parks 2 0-1 4, Alex Henderson 6 2-2 15, Devontae Lane 5-3-9 13, Tanner Lohaus 2 0-0 4, Connor McCaffery 4 8-8 16, Nathan Barnes 0 0-0 0, David DiLeo 4 0-0 9, Dallas Majors 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 13-20 61.

LINN-MAR (56): Nic Uhlir 3 1-2 8, Trevor Noble 3 0-0 6, Jordan Bohannon 8 3-3 24, Lane Halupnik 1 2-2 5, Ryan Schmidt 0 0-0 0, Riley Murphy 1 0-0 3, Beau Klostermann 1 0-0 2, Jason Tichy 0 0-0 0, Jordan Brandt 2 2-3 8. Totals: 19 8-10 56.

Halftime - Iowa City West 29, Linn-Mar 27. 3-point goals - Iowa City West 2 (Henderson 1, DiLeo 1), Linn-Mar 10 (Bohannon 5, Uhlir 1, Halupnik 1, Brandt 2, Murphy 1). Total fouls: Iowa City West 15, Linn-Mar 17. Fouled out: none. Technical fouls: none