RICHMOND, Ky. – The Lipscomb University women's basketball team chipped away at a 17-point deficit late in the third quarter to Eastern Kentucky University down to seven, but it was not enough as the Bisons succumbed to the Colonels, 83-76, Saturday afternoon from the Baptist Health Arena in the regular season finale of Atlantic Sun play. 

Final Score: Eastern Kentucky 83, Lipscomb 76
Location: Richmond, Kentucky (Baptist Health Arena)
Records: Lipscomb (19-10, 12-6), Eastern Kentucky (20-11, 10-8)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After the Colonels scored the first five points of the game, the Bisons answered with an 11-0 run. Taylor Bowen's triple at the 7:56 mark tied the game, and Ainhoa Cea followed with a 3-pointer of her own to give the visitors the lead. 

Lipscomb held the lead for nearly four minutes, as EKU reclaimed the lead on a 3-point field goal by Raphaela Toussaint. 

Later, after another 3-pointer by Toussaint to lead 18-15, the Bisons saw shots in the paint by Claira McGowan and Molly Heard to reclaim the lead, 19-18, after one quarter of play. 

Eastern Kentucky made it a six-point lead midway through the second stanza and maintained the lead into the halftime break, 43-39. 

In the third, the Colonels used a 7-of-14 third quarter to put 21 up and allow the Bisons to 5-of-14 and 11 points to make it a 64-47 lead with 1:41 left in the period. However, the Bisons did cut the deficit down to 14 at the end of the frame with a fast break layup by McGowan and a free throw by Addison Melton. 

While Lipscomb made two more field goals than Eastern Kentucky in the fourth quarter, the home team was able to maintain their lead through the remainder of the contest for the win. 

Despite the loss, Lipscomb showed resiliency and kept playing, as they trimmed the deficit down to as low as seven in the final quarter. 

KEY STATISTICS
Bella Vinson scored 17 of her 23 points in the fourth quarter, going 6-of-8 from the floor and two triples. For the game, she was a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line with seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals. 

Ainhoa Cea posted 14 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals, while Claira McGowan scored 13 points. 

Molly Heard dropped 11 points and grabbed seven boards. 

HERD NOTES
Lipscomb had four players score in double figures for the 14th time in 29 games and in nine of the team's 18 ASUN games.

UP NEXT
Lipscomb will await their opponent for the ASUN Quarterfinal, scheduled for next Saturday, March 8.