With only two games remaining in the regular season, the Lipscomb men’s basketball team was looking to enter the Atlantic-Sun Tournament with two strong home wins.
Thursday night, the Bisons accomplished part of that task.
Lipscomb defeated the University of Jacksonville Dolphins (14-16) 77-73, which evens the teams out at 1-1 (with the Dolphins winning the first match-up of the season).
After a strong start by Lipscomb (the Bisons were up 17-6 by 14:10), the Dolphins inched their way back at the game, gaining their first lead at 5:49. The Bisons entered into halftime with a slim 36-35 lead.
In the second half, the two teams went back and forth for the lead, with the Bisons taking the final lead at 8:36. Lipscomb fought off a close margin towards the half’s close to walk away with the conference win.
Sophomore Martin Smith led the Bisons in scoring with 24. Freshman Stephen Hurt followed with 20 points, and led the team in rebounds with nine. Junior Khion Sankey added 12 points and eight rebounds.
Smith said he believes that the victory over the Dolphins will help come next week’s trip to Macon, Ga., to take part in the A-Sun tournament.
“It’s a big win for us going into the conference tournament, “ Smith said. “This is a little confidence booster for us.”
Smith said he hopes the team’s second-half play can be carried over to Saturday night’s final season game against North Florida.
Tip off for that game is at 8:15 p.m. in Allen Arena.