Coach Casey Alexander and his Bisons basketball squad have officially earned the respect of one of the SEC’s regular hoops contenders.

After Monday’s rebounding win against an impressive Oakland City, the men’s basketball team traveled down the road to Vanderbilt to play their first of two non-conference games against SEC teams this season (a trip to Athens to face the Georgia Bulldogs awaits on Dec. 14).

Despite losing 80-69, Lipscomb put up a valiant effort against a tough Commodores team, with both teams giving the spectators at Memorial Gymnasium a high-flying contest of buzzer-beating threes, big dunks and booming momentum swings.

From the first minutes in, Vandy looked to be setting their own pace for the game with an early 9-2 lead at around the 16 minute mark. However, the Bisons quickly made big plays of their own to whittle down the margin.

As the half continued, the Bisons and Commodores looked to be evenly matched. Vanderbilt led by 3 at the half.

For the second half, foul trouble continued to be costly for the Bisons, with many impact players close to fouling out as the minutes went on. Even through the fouls, Lipscomb kept up with Vandy, keeping things interesting until the game’s final stretch. During which, the Commodores began to build on a tone-setting lead, eventually securing their second win of the season.

Redshirt freshman J.C. Hampton continues to be a difference maker for the Bisons, posting a team-best 21 points and 5 assists, along with 5 rebounds. Senior Khion Sankey had 15 points for the evening, while sophomore Talbott Denny led the team in rebounding with 8.

Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings complimented the play of the Bisons, noting the team’s success on offense.

“I thought Lipscomb played a nice game,” Stallings said. “I thought they played really hard. I thought they ran their offense well.”

The Bisons will have to put this one behind them fast, as an OVC double-header awaits next week with a visit to Tennessee State on Monday and a chance to even this season’s “Battle of the Boulevard” record at Belmont on Wednesday.

Hampton says that rest and habit will help the Bisons for their early week match-up against the Tigers.

“Monday, we’ve got to get our bodies ready and just play as hard as we did today,” Hampton said.

To Alexander, the Bisons’ effort Friday night at against Vandy was one to be proud of.

He says that, through effort and playing together, no opponent is out of reach.

“The effort is where you always start,” Alexander said. “And, if you play hard, and you play together, then you going to give yourself a chance to win just about every game that you play.”

Photo credit: Whitney Jarreld

Share This