by Logan Butts | Aug 14, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
The 2014-15 men’s basketball schedule has been released, and several high profile matchups dot the early portion of the season. The Bisons kick off the season at home on November 14 with a game against Berry College, followed by the home slate of Battle of the Boulevard on November 17. The team will travel down the road to Vanberbilt on November 20 and finish up the Battle of the Boulevard 2014 series at Belmont on November 24. Lipscomb’s first game outside of Nashville will be on November 30 against Colorado of the newly-minted Pac-12. After three straight games in Tennessee at Tennessee Tech, at home against Tennessee State University and on the road with Austin Peay on Decemeber 3, 6, and 13 respectively, the Bisons will travel to Austin for a matchup with Big-12 powerhouse Texas on December 16. SEC newcomer Missouri will receive a taste of the Lipscomb game on January 3 in Columbia in the last road game before A-Sun Conference play kicks off on January 10 at home against Northern Kentucky. Key conference tilts include two games against recent March Madness darlings Florida Gulf Coast, one on the road (January 31) and one at home (February 14), as well as a home (January 13) and away (February 25) slate with USC Upstate. The regular season closes on February 28 at home versus Kennesaw State, followed by the beginning of the A-Sun Tournament on March 3. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
by Cory Woodroof | Feb 28, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
The Lady Bisons softball team came out swinging on a cold Thursday afternoon against down-the-street rival Belmont, posting a 13-0 victory at Rose Park. Junior right fielder Gracey Aguirre, senior shortstop Bridgette Begle and freshman second baseman Mimi Cartwright scored two runs apiece during the season’s Battle of the Boulevard. The win over the Bruins puts the Lady Bisons at 13-2. Aguirre said that scoring quickly is a big help. “I think we just need to continue hitting, because that’s what’s helping us out in the games,” Aguirre said. “We’re scoring early in the game, and we’re not letting down our guard.” After a one-run first inning, Lipscomb scored four runs in the third and six runs in the sixth. Senior catcher/infielder Rena’ Cothron went three-for-four with three RBIs. Aguirre and junior infielder Paige Neely each had a triple. Belmont (5-7) stranded eight baserunners against sophomore Tanner Sanders (5-1). The Lady Bisons begin their Atlantic Sun schedule this weekend in far-warmer Jacksonville against North Florida (14-3). “We just need to be aggressive and attack,” Aguirre said. “[North Florida is] known to have really good pitchers, so we just need to be ready, stay focused and continue hitting.” After the day’s original schedule was changed, another game between the two teams will be scheduled. File photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
by Erika Thornsberry | Feb 20, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
Top 25 is in reach for the Lady Bisons softball team as they moved up to No. 28 in the ESPN.COM/USA softball ranking. With the season just two weeks under way, the Lady Bisons have made their presence known with wins from Virginia Tech, Butler, Iowa, Drake, UAB and No. 15 Baylor. “It’s exciting to be ranked, and it honestly only motivates us that much more to continue to be the best,” senior catcher Rena’ Cothron said. Lipscomb found huge success when they traveled to Waco, Texas this past weekend to play in the Getterman Classic. Against Baylor, the Bisons won 1-0, which bumped the Bears from 14 down to 15. “So far, I think the season has gone great. 8-1 is a great start to a season, but it’s just that, a start,” Cothron said. “Every game we have won so far has been a complete team win. We just have to keep playing our game and take it one day at a time.” Junior Brianne Welch, junior Paige Neely (recently named Atlantic Sun Player of the Week) and sophomore Tanner Sanders made the Getterman Classic All-Tournament team. Welch found success during the tournament, as she had her first career home run against Iowa. “It feels pretty awesome being top 28,” Welch said. “It’s a great feeling to get recognition for the hard work we’ve put in.” Welch had a two run bomb against Iowa, but it was Sanders who was the winning pitcher. She was named A-Sun Pitcher of the Week for her performance in Texas. Junior Gracey Aguirre, who plays right field for the Lady Bisons,...
by Cory Woodroof | Nov 21, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
By Logan Butts and Aaron Schmelzer In round two of the 2013 Battle of the Boulevard, the Belmont Bruins topped the visiting Bisons, winning 94-64. The game started with an 8-0 run by Belmont, and Talbott Denny scored the first points for the Bisons with a three. With 14:37 left in the first half, the lead was in favor of the Bruins, 15-6. By halftime, their lead had increased to 47-26. A steal and breakaway layup from the Bruins’ J.J. Mann gave Belmont the momentum heading into the the half. Malcolm Smith opened the second half with six consecutive points for the Bisons. However, any momentum gained from Smith’s run was erased with a two-handed slam from the Bruins’ Craig Bradshaw to make the score 58-34. Belmont would later seal its second ‘Battle’ win of the season. “They were a significantly better team than they were the first time that we played,” Lipscomb head coach Casey Alexander said. The down-the-street rivals last played Nov. 8, a game that Belmont won, 87-83. “Belmont’s such a rhythm team, and when things are going their way, they’re literally about as good as anybody,” Alexander said. The loss for the Bisons dropped their record to 2-3 on the season. Malcolm Smith stepped up for the Bisons, nearly posting a double-double with 14 points and eight rebounds. J.C. Hampton paced the Bisons, scoring the most points on the night with 16. “J.C.’s a good player, and he’s going to be a good player,” Alexander said of the redshirt freshman point guard. Evan Bradds was the leading scorer and rebounder for Belmont with 19 and...
by Cory Woodroof | Nov 16, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
Coach Casey Alexander and his Bisons basketball squad have officially earned the respect of one of the SEC’s regular hoops contenders. After Monday’s rebounding win against an impressive Oakland City, the men’s basketball team traveled down the road to Vanderbilt to play their first of two non-conference games against SEC teams this season (a trip to Athens to face the Georgia Bulldogs awaits on Dec. 14). Despite losing 80-69, Lipscomb put up a valiant effort against a tough Commodores team, with both teams giving the spectators at Memorial Gymnasium a high-flying contest of buzzer-beating threes, big dunks and booming momentum swings. From the first minutes in, Vandy looked to be setting their own pace for the game with an early 9-2 lead at around the 16 minute mark. However, the Bisons quickly made big plays of their own to whittle down the margin. As the half continued, the Bisons and Commodores looked to be evenly matched. Vanderbilt led by 3 at the half. For the second half, foul trouble continued to be costly for the Bisons, with many impact players close to fouling out as the minutes went on. Even through the fouls, Lipscomb kept up with Vandy, keeping things interesting until the game’s final stretch. During which, the Commodores began to build on a tone-setting lead, eventually securing their second win of the season. Redshirt freshman J.C. Hampton continues to be a difference maker for the Bisons, posting a team-best 21 points and 5 assists, along with 5 rebounds. Senior Khion Sankey had 15 points for the evening, while sophomore Talbott Denny led the team in rebounding with...