FLORENCE, Ala. – Molly Heard's three-point play with four seconds remaining lifted Lipscomb University to a crucial road win over the University of North Alabama, 61-58, Thursday evening inside Allen Arena. 

Final Score: Lipscomb 61, North Alabama 58
Location: Florence, Alabama (CB&S Bank Arena)
Records: Lipscomb (17-9, 10-5), North Alabama (12-14, 7-8)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After the Lions dropped the first bucket of the game, a 3-pointer by Chloe Siegel, the Bisons answered with 12 straight points, led by four points by Bella Vinson. 

Lipscomb held North Alabama to 4-of-13 in the first quarter, as the visitors took a 17-9 lead through a quarter of play. 

Unfortunately, the Lions started to figure it out in the second stanza, as they cut a nine-point deficit in the period to tie it up on two separate occasions late. However, an Elena Bertrand layup with 36 seconds remaining made it a 30-28 lead at the break. 

In the third quarter, despite Lipscomb corralling five offensive boards, there were still eight lead changes, as UNA kept pace. Charity Gallegos gave the home squad a 45-43 lead with 33 seconds left in the period, but a three-point play on the ensuing possession helped the Bisons reclaim the lead 46-45. 

In the final period, it seemed like every time Lipscomb made the game a two-possession lead, North Alabama answered on the next play. With 15 seconds on the clock, Gallegos made it a 58-58 ballgame with her driving layup. 

The Bisons, who had timeouts in their pocket, decided to not use them, as their fast-paced tempo got them across the timeline. Ainhoa Cea found Molly Heard, who scored the bucket and got the foul as well to see the Bisons lead 60-58 with four seconds on the clock.

Heard made it a three-point play at the free throw line, and it came down to the final possession for the Lions. Siegel, who already had three shots from downtown in the game, could not convert the game-tying shot thanks to a block by Vinson as the horn sounded. 

KEY STATISTICS
Bella Vinson led the Bisons with her fifth 20-point game of the season with 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting and added eight rebounds and two steals. She also had the block on UNA's final attempt. 

Claira McGowan added 13 points, while Molly Heard totaled 11 points and two steals. 

Ainhoa Cea scored seven points and dished out six assists and added two thefts. 

HERD NOTES
Lipscomb wins the season series over UNA for the third straight season, as the Bisons have now won eight straight over the Lions. 

Earning their 10th ASUN victory on Thursday, the Bisons have hit double figures in the win column in conference play for the third consecutive season. 

Lipscomb keeps pace in the ASUN standings, currently holding on to the 3-seed with three games remaining in the regular season. The Bisons remain a game up on Stetson and Eastern Kentucky, who both won on Thursday. 

UP NEXT
The regular season home finale will happen on Saturday, as the Bisons will take on the Governors of Austin Peay. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m., but fans will need to arrive early, as the program will honor its senior class.