by Spencer Boehme | Feb 9, 2019 | News Slider, Sports, Uncategorized
The Lipscomb women’s basketball team took down Jacksonville University 61-58 on Saturday afternoon, breaking a 19-game losing streak dating back to mid-November. The Lady Bisons led by 17 at halftime and by 13 with 7:37 left in the fourth quarter, but Jacksonville nearly came back. The game ended on a missed three-point jumper by senior guard Jasmyn Brown with two seconds left, and Lipscomb forward Kailey Rosenbaum scooped the rebound. It’s the first win for the Lady Bisons (3-20, 1-9 ASUN) since Nov. 15, a game in which they edged Alabama A&M 62-58 to begin the year 2-1. Jacksonville dropped to 12-12 (5-6 ASUN). Junior guard Carleigh Short scored a team-high 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while Rosenbaum added 16. Redshirt sophomore forward Emily Kmec led the team with eight rebounds, and freshman forward Taylor Hammack threw in four assists. For the Dolphins, Brown led with 16 points, while senior forward Trudy Walker grabbed 15 boards. Senior guard Rolanda Hayes tabbed three assists. The Lady Bisons now have their first ASUN win, but they still rank at the bottom of the ASUN standings. Lipscomb plays at Liberty on Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. Photo by McKenzi...
by Martin Baker | Feb 9, 2019 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
The classic characters of Oz come to life in the latest incredible performance of the Broadway musical adaptation of the hit film The Wizard of Oz. There really is no place like home to see this show, or at least no place like the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. The production value is through the roof for this performance. Elaborate sets, extravagant costumes and some incredible special effects really let you know this was a serious production. You get the sense of being right inside the twister with Dorothy. Dorothy, the Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow are all portrayed magnificently. The actors really capture the essence of each character and you feel a sense of real hatred towards the Wicked Witch of the West right from the start. The horrendous witche’s laugh is still frightening just to think about. However, the show is stolen by none other than Toto. From his first appearance, the adoration of the crowd is palpable. The use of a real dog in an on-stage performance is always a risk, but the crew pulls it off thanks to the well-behaved Murphy, the dog who plays Toto. The other highlights of the performance are the musical numbers. With such classic songs such as “Over the Rainbow” and “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead,” it isn’t tough for the whole crowd to get on board and sing along. The show has something for the whole family. For the parents, there is the nostalgia of watching the story you know and love come to life on stage right in front of you. For the kids, it has all...
by Kathryn Farris | Feb 9, 2019 | News Slider
The white concrete rooms of the Tennessee Prison for Women are a stark contrast from the typical Lipscomb classroom. However, students and faculty have transformed the space into an environment where knowledge and personal growth thrives. Classes taken in the LIFE Program originate from the on-campus curriculum and are filled with both residents of the prison (“Inside Students”) and traditional Lipscomb students (“Outside Students”). According to the program history provided by the university, “The mix of students and specifically designed coursework provides academic and character-building benefits for both students at the prison and students from campus.” In an introduction to communications class, students take turns standing in front of their peers to share speeches on their favorite foods. “We’re all going to Bonefish, and since it’s a research project, President Lowry is going to pick up the tab,” joked one student at the end of her speech about her love of seafood. She received critiques and compliments from both her peers and her professor, Mr. Alan Griggs. The atmosphere in this classroom is indistinguishable from any introduction to communications course taken on campus. In the master’s level course Ministry Personhood and Discipleship, students sat at desks arranged in a semicircle. Discussions over how society functions flowed through the room. “A little bit of change will have a multiplying effect in the system,” Dr. Steve Bonner told the class. The statement is reminiscent of the change the LIFE Program has had on its students. “I can be a member of a community here,” said Amelia Stem, an organizational leadership major with aspirations of going into customer service. She is a first-generation...
by Tyler Harvey | Feb 9, 2019 | News Slider, Student Spotlight
Imagine only having a 50 percent chance of survival and moving to an entirely new country within the first couple years of your life. These are just two things Lipscomb student Juan Oliva had to deal with when he was born. Oliva was born five months premature in Guatemala City, Guatemala. “The doctors told us it was 50/50 — the next day he can stay alive, or he can die,” Oliva’s dad, Juan Oliva Sr. said. When Oliva was born, his lungs were stuck together, and he weighed less than three pounds. “At that time, they were five kids born in the same situation; there was just one dose of medicine for that,” Oliva Sr. said. “He was the one at that time that had more possibilities to live, so they gave it to him.” Five months after Oliva’s birth, his parents noticed he was having problems sitting and turning. “He just used to stay still, looking straight. He couldn’t turn or do anything like that,” Oliva Sr. said. That’s when Oliva’s parents decided to take him to a doctor in Guatemala. The doctor told his parents that he has Cerebral Palsy, a disease that would require him to walk around with a walker everywhere he goes. The Olivas said they then decided that it would be best to move to America, where their son could have the best facilities to help with his disability. But Oliva said life in the United States wasn’t perfect for him. “Having a disability, you always had to deal with types of insults like getting called octopus or people saying the wheels on...
by Spencer Boehme | Feb 8, 2019 | News Slider, Sports
Lumination Radio will be broadcasting the Lipscomb basketball doubleheader against Jacksonville University on Saturday, Feb. 9. Tipoff for the women’s game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT, while the men’s game starts at 4 p.m. Click here to access the radio station, which is also accessible by clicking the “Radio” tab above. The station is free to listen to. Spencer Boehme will be on play-by-play for both games. Bailey Burnett will be joining as color for the women’s game, while Russell Vannozzi will do the same for the men’s. The Lady Bisons (2-20, 0-9 ASUN) will be looking for their first conference win. They have lost 19 straight games since they started the season 2-1. Sophomore guard Taylor Clark leads the team with 11.5 points per game. The Bisons (19-4, 10-0 ASUN) continue to manhandle the ASUN after a 37-point win over North Florida on Wednesday night, and they stand at 31st in the NCAA NET rankings. Photo by Jamie...
by Russell Vannozzi | Feb 8, 2019 | News Slider, Sports
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Lipscomb men’s basketball team has always been known for its offense, dating back to the Don Meyer NAIA days in the 1980s and 90s. But this season, it’s been the team’s defense that has turned close games into blowouts. Lipscomb’s 92-55 victory over North Florida Wednesday night was the team’s largest margin of victory in its ASUN history. “That’s the most underrated part of our team,” Lipscomb junior Michael Buckland said. “Our experience helps. We know the tendencies of our conference opponents. It’s just executing scouting reports and going out there and playing.” KenPom.com ranks Lipscomb as the nation’s 14th-best in adjusted defensive efficiency, or points allowed per 100 possessions. The Bisons have allowed just 66 points per game in ASUN play, and they’ve held four conference opponents to less than 60 points. The adjusted defensive efficiency statistic is helpful for gauging the strength of the Lipscomb defense because its high-tempo offense affords opponents more possessions and opportunities to score. The Bisons ranked 316th in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency in 2014-15, but they have steadily climbed the rankings since. “We’re known for our offense, but people need to realize that we practice defense a ton,” senior Garrison Mathews said. “If you look at the KenPom rankings and stuff, we’ve improved each year. It’s been great.” The Bisons, who have a +2.8 turnover margin, play with intensity on defense and often force opponents out of their rhythm. North Florida committed 15 turnovers to Lipscomb’s 10, and the Ospreys shot just 34 percent from the floor. “Defense is so much effort and a willingness to do...
