What a way to celebrate Coach Scott Sanderson’s 300th career win.
The men’s basketball team, starting off conference play with two tough losses on the road, used home field advantage in their favor as a strong-for-winter-break crowd cheered the Bisons on to their first Atlantic Sun win of the season, edging out the ETSU Buccaneers 60-56.
The Bisons (6-8) returned to Allen Arena for the first time since playing UT Martin Saturday night and held off the Buccaneers (2-12) in a tight match-up that came down to three of basketball’s keys to victory: rebounds, free throws and clock management.
The Bisons started things off in a back-and-forth lead chase with the Buccaneers until around two minutes to go in the first half. Around that time, effective shooting and solid defense allowed for the Bisons to take an 11 point lead going into the locker room.
After the half, the Buccaneers rallied back in the first few minutes to the tune of a 9-0 run, making the Bisons fight to maintain their lead. Lipscomb seemed to be closing up shop late in the second, but a big three-pointer by the Bucs cut the margin to 3 with 19.1 remaining in the game. A few fouls, effective free-throw shooting and a little clock management helped the Bisons send the Bucs back to sea. The men’s team now sits on a 1-2 A-Sun record.
Freshmen Stephen Hurt posted up another double-double on the season with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while senior Deonte Alexander led the Bisons in scoring with 19 (six of those coming from beyond the arc). Junior Khion Sankey had 8 points and 9 rebounds. The Bisons out-rebounded the Buccaneers 39-28.
Hurt said he believes Saturday night’s performance showed improvements on both sides of the ball.
“We did a lot better defensively,” Hurt said. “Our shooting percentage is better than it has been.”
The Bisons will have a quick turn-around, facing USC Upstate Monday night at 5 before embarking on three road match-ups over the next two weeks.
On top of tonight being the Bisons’ first conference win of the season, the victory gave Coach Scott Sanderson his 300th career win.
Speaking with Lipscombsports.com, Coach Sanderson gave credit to his players on the court for his many victories.
“I’ve had really good players,” Sanderson said. “I’ve never won a game my whole career. I’ve been very, very fortunate to coach with a lot of good guys both on and off the floor. That means more to me that the win tonight.”