Final Score: Lipscomb: 61, Kennesaw State: 53
Location: Nashville, Tenn. (Allen Arena)
Records: Lipscomb: 8-10, 3-2 ASUN, Kennesaw State: 5-11, 1-4 ASUN
THE SHORT STORY: Double-digit performances by
Sydney Shelton and
Bella Vinson lifted Lipscomb Women's Basketball to a 61-53 victory over Kennesaw State in ASUN action at Allen Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After returning home from a long road stretch, Lipscomb found itself in an early deficit after shooting just 21% in the first quarter. Kennesaw State took a 14-7 lead into the second frame.
The Bisons came out in the second quarter with a vengeance. Early in the second quarter, Shelton drained a three-pointer to put Lipscomb within a possession.
The next trip down the floor,
Blythe Pearson connected on another triple to make the score 21-18 and force a Kennesaw State timeout.
Yet another Lipscomb three-pointer by
Jalyn Holcomb tied the game 21-21 with just under six minutes to go in the half.
Shelton put Lipscomb ahead by converting an and-one opportunity and the Bisons never looked back.
Shelton led Lipscomb with a massive 13 points in the second quarter alone as the Purple and Gold connected on 10 of its last 12 buckets for a 24-21 halftime lead. Shelton's 13 points were just two off a career-high and surpassed her previous season-high of 12 in December against Middle Tennessee.
After shooting 75% percent in the second quarter, Lipscomb struggled from the field in the third shooting just 2-12 for 16%. However, the Bisons' shooting from the charity stripe and stout defense allowed it to keep the lead, taking a 45-37 lead into the final frame.
With the help of a 5-2 run to start the fourth quarter, Lipscomb jumped out to a game-high 14-point advantage with 5:40 left in the fourth quarter.
The Owls, wouldn't go away and began to chip away at the Bisons' lead and used a 6-0 run to get within eight, but Pearson broke up the run with her second triple of the afternoon.
The Owls continued to challenge on the offensive end, pulling within five with 1:14 left in the game. Lipscomb clamped down defensively and kept the Owls scoreless for the final minute of the game and converted its free throws to secure the 61-53 victory.
HERD NOTES
- Vinson tied a career-high with 14 points and chipped in five rebounds.
- Shelton finished the game with 14 points, three rebounds and two assists.
- Maddie Cook contributed a team-high eight rebounds and added three assists.
- Lipscomb shot 39% while the Owls shot 37% from the field.
UP NEXT
Lipscomb will be back in action Thursday, Jan. 27 at Jacksonville for the first of a two-game road stretch. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. CT.
