NASHVILLE –  Lipscomb began their non-conference home slate with a matchup against the Fairfield Stags (2-0, 0-0 MAAC). Fairfield shot the lights out in the first quarter, which proved too much for the Bisons' to overcome as they took down Lipscomb 89-66. With the loss, the Bisons moved to 1-1 on the young season. 

The Stags shot 49.3% from the floor compared to 27.7% by the Bisons. Fairfield also buried 14 three-pointers, eight of which came in the first quarter. Lipscomb knocked down seven threes in the game, led by Bella Vinson, who connected on two triples on her way to a 16-point performance on 7-of-13 shooting from the floor. Molly Heard and Blythe Pearson added 13 and 12 respectively in the home opener. 

Fairfield broke the contest wide open in the first quarter, catching fire from beyond the arc. The Stags went 8-of-12 from deep and 9-of-18 from the floor overall. Their lethal shooting guided them to a 26-12 first quarter lead.

The Bisons would settle in the second period, winning the quarter 16-15. Vinson led the charge for the Bisons with seven points on 3-of-6 shooting. Ainhoa Cea pitched in four points, also providing a spark on the defensive end, recording back-to-back steals midway through the second ten minutes, which gave the Bisons some extra possessions.  

Lipscomb cut their deficit to ten on a jumper from Vinson in the tail end of the second quarter, but the Stags pushed their lead back out to 13 at halftime (41-28).

The Bisons opened the third quarter on another bucket from Vinson, but Fairfield stretched their lead to as much as 22 with 3:32 in the period. Lipscomb continued to show fight throughout the third and fourth periods, but the Stags managed to answer any run the Bisons had. The Bisons were never able to overcome their first-quarter deficit. Lipscomb fell for the first time this season, with an 89-66 final in Allen Arena Friday afternoon.

HERD NOTES:

• Despite the loss, Lipscomb made a living at the free-throw line, going 23-of-30 from the charity stripe. 
• The Stags out rebounded the Bisons 44-40, 32-23 on the defensive boards. Lipscomb won the battle on the offensive glass 17-12. 
• The Bisons forced Fairfield into 14 turnovers but only had 12 turnovers themselves. Fairfield capitalized on the turnovers they forced, scoring 20 points off those mistakes. 
• Fairfield rejected eight shots compared to three blocks for the home team. 
• Fairfield moved the ball efficiently, assisting on 16 bucks, while Lipscomb had just eight assists in the outing. 
• The Stags won the war in the paint, outscoring the Bisons 36-22. 

UP NEXT: 
Lipscomb will return to Allen Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT, with the contest airing on ESPN+. Continue to check lipscombsports.com and the team's social media accounts (@lipscombwbb on IG and @lipscomb_wbb on X) for the most up-to-date information on Lipscomb women's basketball.