Lipscomb didn’t play its smoothest basketball on Saturday, but the result still turned out just fine.
The Bisons topped Tennessee State by a score of 86-79 at Allen Arena as Lipscomb alumni and fans descended on campus for Homecoming Weekend.
“[TSU] really played with more passion and energy than we did for a lot of the night,” Lipscomb coach Casey Alexander said. “But I give our guys great credit for just staying with it in a tough game where it wasn’t smooth and [still] finding a way to win.”
Lipscomb (2-0) led just 41-40 at halftime, and the contest remained tight throughout. But Lipscomb big man Eli Pepper came through with a reverse layup with 7:40 remaining, and the Bisons never trailed after that point.
Garrison Mathews delivered the dagger when he swished a three-pointer with 26 seconds left. He finished with 23 points, while junior Kenny Cooper led the team with a career-high 24 points.
“It’s been a long time coming, but I feel like I can let loose and play my game,” Cooper said. “I’m a third-year guy now, so [the coaches] expect [a lot] of me. I take that to heart, and I know what I can do.”
Pepper delivered perhaps the most complete performance of his college career, posting 19 points and 17 rebounds in 33 minutes played.
“[He] gave us a huge lift,” Alexander said. “That’s a guy that’s really stepping up and doing what he can to help the team.”
Newly-hired TSU head coach Brian “Penny” Collins played for Belmont from 2002-06 while Alexander was on the team’s staff, making for a friendly reunion for the two former Bruins after the game.
“It definitely makes me feel old,” Alexander said. “I’m proud of Penny. He’s a good coach. He’ll have a good, long career and win a lot of games.”
The Tigers (0-1) didn’t make things easy for Lipscomb, as Donte Fitzpatrick-Dorsey dropped 26 points and KaMar McKnight added 19. However, TSU went without a field goal in the final 2:23.
Lipscomb forward Rob Marberry missed his second-straight game with a hand injury. The senior is expected to return to action sooner rather than later.
“He’s closer than he’s been,” Alexander said. “It’s wait-and-see, but hopefully he can play [soon].”
Lipscomb will welcome rival Belmont to Allen Arena on Thursday night for the season’s first edition of the Battle of the Boulevard. The game is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m.
“We’re excited,” Cooper said. “We’re going to try to get ready for that this week and hopefully be 3-0.”
Photo by McKenzi Harris