by Russell Vannozzi | Nov 5, 2018 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb women’s soccer team patiently waited to learn its fate for the program’s first NCAA tournament appearance Monday afternoon at a watch party in the Allen Arena Hall of Fame room. As luck would have it, the Lady Bisons (14-4-2) were paired with another NCAA first-timer in Mississippi State (9-6-2). The first-round match is set for Friday at 4 p.m. in Starkville. “It’s going to be a difficult game, but I’m excited about the opportunity to travel,” Lipscomb coach Kevin O’Brien said. “We thought we might get Vanderbilt and that would’ve been a great game, but I know the girls really were excited about being able to get on the road and get the [full] NCAA postseason tournament experience.” The two teams have a history – Lipscomb went to Starkville and emerged with a 1-0 victory over the Bulldogs on August 26, 2016. Ellen Lundy scored the lone tally in the 16th minute and goalie Anna Buhigas made nine saves to preserve the win. “We know Mississippi State and played them a couple years ago,” O’Brien said. “I’m actually friends with their coaching staff a little bit. They’re going to be motivated.” Lipscomb junior forward and 2018 ASUN Player of the Year Olivia Doak is one of seven current Lady Bisons that played in the 2016 match at Mississippi State. The nine-goal scorer said that experience should be a confidence booster for Lipscomb. “I remember their environment being really crazy,” Doak said. “Knowing that we won on [their] field before is good to have in the back of our minds.” Lipscomb clinched an automatic bid to the NCAA...
by Russell Vannozzi | Nov 5, 2018 | News Slider, Sports
It’s been nearly 20 months since Nathan Moran has appeared in a basketball game for the Lipscomb Bisons. The team won its first-ever ASUN tournament title and made its first NCAA tournament appearance while Moran rode the bench as a redshirt last season. But that certainly wasn’t by choice. The former walk-on has dealt with injuries throughout his career, and he discovered after his junior season that he had torn labrums in both hips. To make matters worse, Moran’s right hip also required microfracture surgery. “The cartridge had peeled off, so they had to drill holes in my bone,” Moran said of his right hip. “That was a super long recovery and it was very painful. When I thought I was getting back, I wasn’t [healthy], which was stressful.” After a lengthy recovery, the sharpshooter is finally ready to get back on the court. He is expected to play in Lipscomb’s opener against Sewanee on Tuesday. “I’m close to 100 percent,” he said. “I’ve had some good weeks and some bad weeks. I’m feeling good right now at the right time.” Moran’s ball-handling and shooting were sorely missed last season, according to Lipscomb coach Casey Alexander. “I think we were lucky to survive without him because he means that much to our team,” Alexander said. “In that sense, it’s great to have him back.” Moran returned to practice in January, but his lack of lateral mobility at the time made a midseason return impossible. He then took a redshirt season to salvage his final year of eligibility. “We thought that if I didn’t have microfracture [surgery] on my right...
by Russell Vannozzi | Nov 4, 2018 | News Slider, Sports
Lipscomb freshman Zarek Jakubowski picked a key time for his second career goal, and junior Ben Locke found plenty of space for his rocket shot in the first half. Those goals gave the Bisons a 2-1 victory over Jacksonville in the ASUN men’s soccer semifinals at Lipscomb Soccer Complex on Sunday, propelling the Bisons to their second-straight ASUN title game appearance. “In September, we hit [a] rough patch and weren’t sure if we were going to turn it around or not,” Lipscomb soccer coach Charles Morrow said. “We were certainly talented enough. From a coach’s standpoint, we believed we could [return to the title game], and I don’t think the players ever doubted that they could.” The Bisons topped Jacksonville by the same score to win last year’s title and advance to their first-ever NCAA tournament. But after graduating 10 seniors, Lipscomb had to find production from its younger players. The team started the season 1-7, including a 3-2 loss in double overtime at Jacksonville on Sept. 22. “We’re not the same team we were in September,” Morrow said. “This is a team that has continued to grow and develop. We knew we were a work in progress earlier in the year.” Lipscomb took a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute when Locke fired a low shot into the bottom-left corner of the net off a feed from Austin Eager. Two minutes later, Jacksonville forward Reed Davis potted his sixth goal of the season to tie the score at one. Jakubowski’s tally came when Jacksonville goalie Matt Levy misplayed a ball in the box, giving the Lipscomb forward a free...
by Russell Vannozzi | Nov 3, 2018 | News Slider, Sports
For the first time in a long time, the Lipscomb men’s basketball team is the favorite to win the ASUN title. The Bisons are seeking their second consecutive NCAA tournament berth with an experienced roster that includes five seniors and three juniors. Several of Lipscomb’s games could go either way — namely their contests against Belmont, Florida Gulf Coast and North Florida. The Bisons will also square off with Power 5 opponents in TCU, Clemson and Louisville. After looking into the crystal ball, here are my predictions for all 29 Lipscomb regular season games: Game 1: Lipscomb 95, Sewanee 60 (1-0) Nov. 6 at Allen Arena The Bisons may show some rust in the first half, as is typical in any season opener. The Tigers have built a solid D-III program, but they simply won’t have the depth to pull an upset. Game 2: Lipscomb 80, Tennessee State 68 (2-0) Nov. 10 at Allen Arena These two teams have played tight battles over the last several seasons, including a 95-86 overtime win by Lipscomb last year. Belmont alum Brian “Penny Collins” is taking over for Dana Ford, who left to coach Missouri State. With a new TSU coaching staff and a revamped roster, the score line won’t be as close. Game 3: Lipscomb 72, Belmont 61 (3-0) Nov. 15 at Allen Arena Battle of the Boulevard games are never easy to predict. Belmont’s Dylan Windler is one of the top players in the country, but the loss of Austin Luke and Amanze Egekeze leaves the Bruins a bit thin on experience – a problem the Bisons don’t have. Game 4:...
by Russell Vannozzi | Oct 31, 2018 | News Slider, Sports
Following its first-ever NCAA tournament berth, the Lipscomb men’s basketball team is facing high expectations this season. The Bisons are returning all five starters from last season plus redshirt senior guard Nathan Moran, who missed the entirety of last season with a hip injury. Several national media outlets have predicted the Bisons to win the league title once again, and Lipscomb was also named the league favorite by the ASUN men’s basketball coaches. Garrison Mathews and Rob Marberry landed preseason All-ASUN honors from the league, while Mathews was unanimously tabbed the ASUN Preseason Player of the Year earlier this month. The Bisons open their 2018-19 campaign when Sewanee visits Allen Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Here’s a full rundown of where prognosticators believe Lipscomb will finish this season: ASUN Conference Men’s Basketball Media Poll: 1st place (44 votes). Athlon Sports: 1st place in ASUN, Mathews and Marberry on All-ASUN 1st team, Kenny Cooper on 2nd team. CBSSports.com: Jerry Palm listed Lipscomb as a No. 16 seed playing No. 1 seed Tennessee. ESPN.com: Joe Lundari has Lipscomb as a No. 16 seed playing No. 1 seed Gonzaga. Lindy’s Sports: 2nd place in ASUN, Mathews and Marberry on 1st team. Cooper listed as “Best Playmaker.” Mid-Major Madness (SB Nation): 1st place in ASUN, Matthews and Marbery on 1st team, Cooper on 2nd team. Street & Smith’s: 1st place in ASUN, Mathews and Marberry on All-ASUN team. Three-Man Weave: 1st place in ASUN, Mathews and Marberry on 1st team. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
