It was a battle of conference unbeatens, and it lived up to the hype, as the Lipscomb men’s basketball team (10-10, 2-1) took on the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (14-5, 3-0).
The Bisons fought back from two double-digit deficits in both halves but ultimately fell 84-80.
Early on the Eagles dominated with their length and athleticism, getting deflections and forcing turnovers. They led the game 21-14.
Christian Terrell and Demetris Morant led FGCU as they had 17 of the first 27 points. Both finished with double-figures, 15 and 14 points, respectively.
For Lipscomb, sophomore Garrison Mathews led the way for the Bisons, with 10 points in the first half.
However, the Bisons found themselves down 34-23 with less than six minutes remaining in the first half.
The Bisons then found their stride and sprinted out to end the half on a 16-6 run to tie the game at 40 going into halftime. The run was fueled by Mathews, along with senior Josh Williams and a huge and-one opportunity converted by freshman Michael Buckland.
“I was very pleased with their effort,” head coach Casey Alexander said. “I thought we played hard enough to win, and the desire was there.”
Lipscomb took its first lead with a Williams three-pointer early in the second half, 43-42.
The Eagles and Bisons traded baskets and the lead for the next few minutes. FGCU eventually used a 7-0 midway through the second half and took a nine-point lead thanks to Zach Johnson, who finished with 23 points.
FGCU broke the game open after going back-and-forth with Lipscomb after its big run. The lead got as large as 14, 74-60.
Then, Josh Williams went off. Williams went on a personal mission and outscored 11-2 to bring the Bisons back within five, 74-69. He finished with 24, and the Bisons finished with four players in double-figures: Rob Marberry 14, Nathan Moran 11 and Mathews 17.
“What I’m most pleased with Josh in those circumstances is that he got some good looks at the beginning of the half, and none of them went down,” Alexander said. “They had some trouble finding us in transition, and we got some great looks, and he was one of them.”
Led by Williams and Mathews, Lipscomb staged another comeback and cut the Eagles lead to three, 80-77 with 1:10 left.
However, the Bisons could not complete the comeback despite a furious rally, falling short 84-80.
“I think our team at this point and time knows what it takes to win – I think we’re made of the right stuff,” Alexander said. “We lost to a good team in a good game.”
The Bisons play at Jacksonville next Thursday, January 19, at 6 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics