The Bisons had gone winless in two tries before playing Belmont in the ’67-’68 season. Still, Lipscomb was averaging over 90 points a game and won the last four times when playing in Belmont’s gym. Moreover, the Rebels of Belmont had already upset a top-ranked Tennessee Wesleyan just in its first game.
However, the Bisons coached by Guy Phillips, would not be able to beat Belmont that time around or the rest of the season for that matter. In the game at Belmont the Bisons lost 102-86 followed up by an uncharacteristically low scoring affair, a 54-46 loss at Lipscomb.
There is no word if they were playing a half-court game during that second matchup.
The loss at Belmont started the biggest win streak for the Rebels/Bruins during the entire 129 game series.
During the first outing, both Coach Phillips and his team were very (overly) optimistic about their chances heading into what was then called a mere “cross-town rivalry” with no boulevard at stake.
Take Eddie Montgomery (no, not the taller half of the country music duo Montgomery Gentry) went into the Belmont game thinking they could beat not only the Rebs but also any other team in the country.
“We’ve got the offense to blow somebody out of the gym. Our fast-break is working like a charm, and we should be able to run Belmont to death.”
The entire article from the December 1967 Babbler can be read below.
By Byron Nelson
Cross-town rivalry flares up again tomorrow afternoon as the Bisons invade Belmont to take on the Rebels in their Homecoming game at 2 p.m.
Traditionally, Lipscomb is destined to come out as the victor in this game as the Bisons have won four consecutive games at Belmont. However, the Rebels have bounced back to produce a split in the series each year.
Belmont has already upset top-ranked Tennessee Wesleyan in its first game, and familiar faces like Jim Mercer will again face the Bisons.
However, Coach Phipps will have the Bison fast-break and a 92 points per game average to challenge the Rebel opposition. In addition, Jim Beller brings a 22.7 average into the game while Merl Smith has hit for 18.7 in three games.
“We’ve got the offense to blow somebody out of the gym,” said reserve guard Eddie Montgomery. “Our fast-break is working like a charm, and we should be able to run Belmont to death.”
Coach Guy Phipps added: “This year I’ve got the power to go to my bench for help. These sophomore have really been coming through, especially Charlie Neal. Defense remains our major problem because out fast-break and outside shooting has been tremendous.”
Still, the Bisons could not come up with a victory as they lost two games in the Athens Invitational Tournament over Thanksgiving.
Athens College downed the Bisons 93-82, in a game that saw Jimmy Beller and Merl Smith hit 22 points a piece.
In the second game, Lipscomb held a 51-40 lead over St. Bernard at half-time, but the Saints bounced back to win 99-96, taking the lead only in the last minute. Beller hit 28 points as the game’s high scorer.
During the tournament the Bisons had two major problems, rebounding and foul shooting. Bill Connelly is the top rebounder with a 9.3 average for the season. In foul-shooting, the Bisons hit 58% in the Athens Tournament, nowhere near the 70% considered average for foul-shooting.
In the fourth outing of the season, the Harding Bisons of Searcy, Ark., edged Lipscomb 77-22 in the home opener Tuesday night.
Jeff Stitt, Harding forward, poured in 24 points, topping the scoring column for both teams. Harding center George Frazier did similar damage as he netted 13 points and pulled down 17 rebounds.
For Lipscomb, Jimmy Beller continued to lead the team in scoring with 17, followed by Owen Sweatt with 16, and Merl Smith with 15. Sweatt led the Bisons in rebounding, grabbing 17 and equaling the high mark for the season.
Despite the deficiencies, the Bisons offer basketball fans a tremendous individual player performance. Jimmy Beller and Merl Smith control the fast-break offense each possessing equal ability to drive the middle or hit a 20 foot jump shot.
“This is perhaps the most exciting Bison team that has played in recent years,” said Dr. Robert Hooper. “This fast-break basketball really provides a fascinating show for fans.”
The University of the South will face the Bisons in the next home game on Dec. 4.
During the Christmas Holidays, the Bisons play Transylvania in Lexington, Ky., on Dec. 9; Lambuth College on Dec. 11 in Jackson, Tenn.; Union University, Dec. 18 in Jackson, Tenn;, and U.T. Martin Branch Dec. 19 at Martin, Tenn.