Tuesday, November 24, 2009
by Trevor Garrett

COLUMBUS - The Lipscomb University Bisons gave No. 17 ranked Ohio State a strong challenge for a majority of the game Tuesday night before falling 84-64 in Columbus.

A layup by Adnan Hodzic put Lipscomb (0-4) on the board first but the Bisons were not able to find their shooting stroke early missing nine of their next 11 attempts as Ohio State (4-1) built a 14-6 lead eight minutes into the game.

A three-pointer by Ohio State’s P.J. Hill and a dunk by Dallas Lauderdale off a Lipscomb turnover on the next possession gave the Buckeyes a ten point lead.

Lipscomb countered with a layup by Brandon Brown and then forced three consecutive Ohio State turnovers and scored on each to make it a 24-23 game with 5:05 left in the first half.

Neither team hit a field goal for the next until Ohio State’s David Lighty hit a three-pointer with 2:07 left. Slater drained a long ball on the next possession for the Bisons to keep Ohio State’s advantage at one point.

Lipscomb was not able to close out the half on a strong note as Ohio State went on an 8-0 run to take a 36-27 lead at the break.

Evan Turner, the reigning Big Ten player of the Week who entered the game averaging 21.8 points and 14.8 rebounds, was held scoreless until he hit a layup with 1:35 left in the half.

Turner finished the game with a triple-double with 16 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds.

The Bisons did not open the second half on a strong note turning the ball over on their first four possessions.

Ohio State scored off three of those to extend its lead to 15 points, 42-27.

Finding themselves down by 15 points again four minutes into the second half, Lipscomb went on an 8-0 run to make it a 47-40 game with 13:43 left.

Ohio State shot well the whole evening which allowed the Buckeyes to consistently rebuild its lead. They finished 33-of-57 from the field for 57.9 percent. Ohio State was 11-of-22 from the three-point line.

A three-pointer by Jacob Arnett and a layup by Adnan Hodzic allowed the Bisons to cut their deficit back to seven with 11:11 remaining.

Turner hit a jumper with 9:24 remaining to give Ohio State a double digit lead which they wouldn’t relinquish.

Hodzic led Lipscomb with 18 points while Michael Teller added 11 points.

Lipscomb held a 32-30 advantage on the boards. The Bisons grabbed 13 offensive boards. Brown led Lipscomb with nine rebounds.

Lipscomb shot 25-of-58 from the field for 43.1 percent and were five-of-18 from beyond the arc for 27.8 percent.

Lipscomb was 9-of-14 from the free throw line. Ohio State was 7-of-17.

Ohio State finished with five players in double figures. Lighty scored a game-high 22 points. Jon Diebler scored 17 points off 5-of-11 shooting from the three-point line. Lauderdale had 13 points and Jeremie Simmons had 11 points.

Lipscomb returns to action Saturday at SIU Edwardsville. Game time is 2 p.m. CT.

Jonathan Seamon, Benjamin Seamon, and Justin Seamon will be on the call for the Lipscomb Sports Network. Free online audio streaming is available at www.LipscombSports.com/sportsnetwork/.