by Logan Butts | Dec 7, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
The Lady Bisons lost 85-51 in a matchup with the Tennessee Lady Vols Sunday afternoon in Allen Arena. The Lady Vols came into the game ranked 14th in the nation after ending a two-game losing streak, a rarity for the perennial national championship contenders. Lipscomb hung close with Tennessee for the first ten minutes of game action. A three from senior Sara Bliss gave the Lady Bisons a 3-2 lead, their first and only, at the 17:21 mark. The deficit remained in the single digits until halfway through the first quarter thanks to feisty, spirited defense from Lipscomb and a number of missed shots for both teams. “I knew we were capable of it. You don’t know what to expect when playing a team of that caliber,” Lipscomb head coach Greg Brown said, “We knew if we could try to limit possessions and play physical and play good positioning, we’d be in a good position.” Once the Lady Vols found their groove late in the first half, the Lady Bisons struggled to hang with the size and strength of Tennessee The Lady Bisons came out strong in the second half, even outscoring Tennessee for the first ten minutes of the second. “We thought we played with a lot of energy in the first half. We just had to continue to be aggressive, and do the things we practiced. I thought they did a very good job of that,” Brown said. Junior Ashley Southern surpassed her per game averages of 15.7 points and 8 rebounds, both good enough for third place in the Atlantic Sun. She finished the game with...
by Logan Butts | Dec 2, 2014 | News Slider
By Brianne Welch and Logan Butts Potential rain may have moved Lighting of the Green’s tenth anniversary into Allen Arena, but the night only brought a downpour of festive cheer and a surprise fit for the season. Grant returned to be the evening’s emcee. The lineup consisted of Danny Gokey, Jon Guerra, The Willis Clan, Brother Parker and surprise guest Vince Gill. Outside of the night’s entertainment, Lipscomb University shared that a new scholarship will be created in Grant’s honor. Lipscomb’s presidential spouse Rhonda Lowry was on hand to announce a gift of $50,000 to start the scholarship. During the show, a painting was created and will be auctioned off. The proceeds will go to the scholarship fund. During the show, the Lipscomb Academy and Lipscomb University choruses also performed Christmas songs. Grant performed a number of her Christmas-themed hits throughout the night, including “Emmanuel” and “Tennessee Christmas.” “I’ve always grown up listening to Amy Grant Christmas [music], so it’s kind of a nostalgic thing for me to come and listen to her sing,” attendee Mallory Grady said. Vendors run by local businesses were set up in the arena for anyone in attendance to visit before the show began. Santa and Mrs. Claus were made available for pictures inside of the Hall of Fame room and free hot chocolate and cookies were offered to guests as they arrived to the show. “I just like the whole setup of everything with the booths,” sophomore Kasey Gibson said. “It’s very Christmasy, so I like that.” The night of holiday festivities concluded with the tradition of lighting of Lipscomb’s Christmas tree in the Allen...
by Logan Butts | Nov 24, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
For the second time in only a week the Lipscomb Bisons have fallen to their Battle of the Boulevard rival Belmont Bruins, this time by a score of 82-77. The 136th edition of the ‘Battle’ had a familiar feeling as the Bruins came out with a victory for the seventh iteration in a row, albeit by a much closer margin than this season’s first matchup. “I’m proud of our players,” Lipscomb head coach Casey Alexander said.” “[They showed] a lot of persistence, and real great effort to battle back like that.” Seniors Malcolm and Martin Smith kept the Bisons in the game in the final moments. Both finished with 21 points on the night. Malcolm Smith tied Talbott Denny for a team leading 6 rebounds and notched 3 assists as well. “They’re [Martin and Malcolm Smith] seniors and they’re both thousand-point scorers.” Alexander said, “That’s what they’ve proven they can do. They have to keep doing it.” Clutch free throws from junior Craig Bradshaw down the stretch helped secure the victory for the Bruins. Bradshaw scored 29 points in the game, a new career high, and went 5-7 from downtown. He also collected 5 rebounds and 4 assists. “He was their best player down the stretch last year,” Alexander said about Bradshaw, “He’s had some unbelievable games, and he killed us when he had to kill us.” A back-breaking three-pointer from junior Jeff Laidig started the Bruins on a devastating 14-0 run in the waning moments of the first half. Laidig’s basket, which came directly after Lipscomb’s Malcolm Smith had tied the game at 27, crippled any momentum the...
by Logan Butts | Nov 22, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb Bisons survived a spooky first half from the Transylvania Pioneers to win 74-63. The Pioneers hung close in the first half, but the Bisons were able to expand the lead once they hit the court in the second frame. “They were making tough shots at the end of the shot clock,” head coach Casey Alexander said. “And that’s really all we can ask for our defense to do. It’d be nice to get a turnover, but to force them to plat offense for a long time and then throw up a couple of prayers, but beyond that they just played well. They played with a lot of confidence.” The Bisons second half surge benefitted from a pressure defense that forced the Pioneers into committing numerous turnovers, several of which led to quick transition baskets for Lipscomb. The fast-paced offense combined with the suffocating defense had the Bisons clicking in the second half. Freshman Nate Moran led all scorers on the night with 16 to go along with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Sophomore Josh Williams almost notched a double-double in the game with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Lipscomb managed to keep a balanced attack for entirety of the game. Nine Bisons in all scored during the game, including three in double figures. Sophomore Brett Wishon was the other Bison in double-figures with 10 alongside Williams and Moran. “We’ll play the one’s who deserve to play,” Alexander said, “If that’s eight, we’ll play eight. If that’s 12 or 13 we’ll do that.” Senior Malcolm Smith finished the game with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists...
by Logan Butts | Nov 20, 2014 | News Slider
The newest male social club at Lipscomb, Theta Psi, took home first place for the fifth annual Stomp Fest presented by Kappa Iota Theta. The Wolves, as Theta Psi is referred to by members and non-members alike, earned the judges respect after a stepping routine that caused an uproar of cheers from the crowd. Senior Jeru Jorguenson was the captain behind Theta Psi’s FBI-themed routine, and all of the members stated that he was a major reason they won first place. “Jeru Jorguenson was our coach. He’s been planning this [routine] for a long, long time, and it’s really exciting to see it pay off,” Theta Psi President Zach Bowen said, “For all of us, but especially for him and for the team. I’m so proud of them.” “This is probably one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had at Lipscomb, and words cannot describe how happy I am,” Jorguenson said. With the added pressures of coaching the team, this Stomp Fest experience was different than past ones for Jorguenson, and that made the win even sweeter. “I’ve always had fun at Stomp Fest, but having all of the stress and all that stuff pay off at the end of it is amazing.” Jorguenson said. Female social club Pi Delta took home second place on the night with a routine centered on storms. During the show’s intermission, youth club Alpha Omega stomped to a Christian-themed routine that brought the crowd to their feet. The crowd-pleasing drill involved kids of all ages spouting off Bible verses while performing their moves. The overall theme for the night was “Evolution,” and many...
