by Cory Woodroof | Dec 6, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
It took a little time, but the Lipscomb Bisons now have a Division 1 win in the W column. The team (3-5) defeated the Tennessee State Tigers (2-7) 77-68 Saturday at Allen Arena in an afternoon tipoff. Senior forward Malcolm Smith (22 points) led the Bisons’ attack inside the paint, where the team amassed 44 of its 77 points. In the first half, the Bisons and Tigers looked evenly matched. Both teams struggled early to generate any sort of offensive pressure. But, Smith helped spark Lipscomb with five straight to give the home team a 9-4 lead with 12:20 to half. The Tigers began to spark their own game from the perimeter soon after to get back in the game. After a quick lead switch-off in the low 20s, the Bisons took back momentum and led at half, 36-31. To start the second, the Tigers came out hot on a 7-0 run to get the 37-36 lead at 18:01, but a 3 from freshman guard Aaron Korn settled the Bisons down. After TSU led by 8, the Bisons got back into the game and inched their way to a strong lead late in the game. Lipscomb never let TSU back in and picked up their third win of the season. Smith led all scorers with 22 and all rebounders with 8, while TSU’s junior guard Marcus Roper was not too far behind in points with 21. Freshman guard Nathan Moran put up 14 for Lipscomb, and sophomore guard Josh Williams had 13. The Bisons will look to build on this one with a road trip to Austin Peay next...
by Cory Woodroof | Nov 8, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
The past couple of seasons in Lipscomb basketball can be summed up in one word: change. In the past two years, the university has seen two coaching changes in two of its biggest sports programs. In 2012, former Lady Bisons basketball coach Frank Bennett transitioned into a role as an associate athletic director for the school, and former University of Central Florida assistant Greg Brown took on the role as head coach for the team. In April, longtime Bisons basketball coach Scott Sanderson resigned, and, in May, former Belmont assistant and Stetson coach Casey Alexander returned to Nashville to become the next coach of the Bisons. Alexander may be new to don the purple and gold, but he’s no stranger to town, having been a standout player and coach for the Bruins during his time with Rick Byrd’s legendary program (the two will meet again in tonight’s first installment of this year’s Battle of the Boulevard series). After leaving Belmont, he spent two seasons as the head coach for the Stetson Hatters before making the move to the other side of the boulevard as Lipscomb’s new coach. After spending the summer and fall semester getting acquainted with the team, Alexander is getting ready to begin his era of Bisons basketball. Alexander says that the transition into his new role at Lipscomb, on both a personal and professional level, was as smooth as it could be. “It’s been very easy,” Alexander said. “It’s a place that I was so familiar with and knew a lot about, and knew that it was the kind of place that I wanted to be,...
by Cory Woodroof | May 19, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
Lipscomb formally introduced Casey Alexander to the community as the new coach of the men’s basketball team Sunday afternoon at the Ezell Center. The university officially confirmed Alexander’s hire Saturday evening. Alexander was a former Belmont Bruin player and coach who has spent the past two seasons coaching at Stetson. Lipscomb Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson kicked off the event, talking about the process of hiring a coach. Hutcheson said that when looking for a coach, “what we care about here is excellence, and what we care about are people who are connected and committed to what the mission of Lipscomb is about.” The selection committee, consisting of Hutcheson, Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Student Life Scott McDowell and women’s basketball coach Greg Brown, interviewed a number of candidates who were interested in the vacant position. Former coach Scott Sanderson resigned in April. Hutcheson praised the quality of the candidate that applied for the job, but said that the committee decided that Alexander was the best for the program. “There was one guy whose name rose to the top, and he contacted me very early on about the job and said he was interested,” Hutcheson said. Hutcheson said he had conversations with people close to both Lipscomb and Alexander who reassured him of what a good coach and person Alexander was. In an early conversation with Alexander, Hutcheson said he was impressed with the candidate’s vision for the school after being asked why he was interested in the coaching position. “[Alexander] said ‘I want to be at a place that still values the Christian mission that Lipscomb...
by Cory Woodroof | May 18, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
The university officially confirmed reports Saturday evening that former Stetson head coach and Belmont assistant Casey Alexander had been named the new coach of the Lipscomb men’s basketball team. The news first broke Friday night after a story was filed by Mike Organ of the Tennessean. Alexander comes to Lipscomb after serving two seasons as the head coach of the Stetson Hatters, a fellow Atlantic Sun team. During his time with the Hatters, Alexander posted up a 24-36 overall record. A member of the 1992-95 Belmont Bruins squad, Alexander worked as an assistant coach for Belmont for 16 seasons before making the move to DeLand, Florida in 2011. Alexander replaces former head coach Scott Sanderson, who resigned from the university in April after 14 seasons. Lipscomb Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson shared his excitement in the hiring through a press release issued by the university. “Casey has been part of successful programs wherever he has been,” Hutcheson said. “But, what I’m most impressed with is his understanding of the spirit, character and mission of Lipscomb University. He shares our values and is a proven player and coach. Casey has observed the Lipscomb program for a long time, and he understands in his bones who we are.” In the statement, the newly hired Alexander said that he’s looking forward to beginning his time as coach for the Bisons. “I’m very grateful to Lipscomb for giving me the opportunity to lead this great program,” Alexander said. “I appreciate their belief in me. Lipscomb University is a perfect fit for my family and me. We couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity. The philosophy...
by Cory Woodroof | Feb 15, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
After last Friday’s big win over the Northern Kentucky Norse, the Bisons couldn’t overcome second half mistakes in a loss to conference rival Stetson. Despite an early lead, the men’s basketball team (now 9-14, 4-8 in conference) fell 76-66 to the Hatters (10-14, 7-6 in conference). Thursday night’s tough defeat saw sophomore Malcom Smith sustain an injury that led to his early exit. The first half saw strong offensive and defensive play from the Bisons. The team led 34-26 at the break, with senior Deonte Alexander already having scored 14. The second half, however, saw an opening 9-0 run by the Hatters that set a precedent for the visiting team. Stetson pulled ahead soon after and never let go of the lead. Alexander led the Bisons in scoring with 21, and junior Khion Sankey led the team in rebounding with seven. Freshman Stephen Hurt had 12 points and five rebounds. Hurt said he felt that the best play came in the first half, but the second half represented a different story. “In the second half, we just came out flat,” Hurt said. Coach Scott Sanderson agreed with Hurt’s assessment, hoping that the team learns to put a full performance together in the face of adversity. “It’s a learning process for our guys,” Sanderson said. The team will face a quick turnaround, hosting Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Hurt hopes the Bisons can improve on both offense and defense headed into the weekend’s match-up. “We’ve got to have the same intensity. We’ve got to be consistent.” Photo credit: Whitney...
