NASHVILLE – The Lipscomb University women's basketball team returns to the semifinals Atlantic Sun Conference Women's Basketball Championship with a 73-64 win over the University of North Alabama in the quarterfinal round, Saturday afternoon inside Allen Arena. 

Final Score: (3) Lipscomb 73, (6) North Alabama 64
Location: Allen Arena
Records: Lipscomb (20-10), North Alabama (13-17)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The teams went back and forth in the early goings. Down 6-5, Lipscomb went on an 8-3 run thanks to five points by Molly Heard. 

UNA did reclaim the lead later in the period with free throws by Charity Gallegos, but a Bella Vinson layup responded on the next and final possession of the period evened things up at 19. 

The Lions started the second quarter with a 6-0 run in the first four minutes of the quarter, but the Bisons came back with field goals by Claira McGowan and Molly Heard to take the 28-27 lead. 

After North Alabama made it a 31-28 lead with 1:13 to go, McGowan knocked down a 3-pointer to tie things up at 31 at the break. 

Coming out of the locker room, Lipscomb started firing on all cylinders. Ahead 36-35, the Bisons used an 8-4 run to make it a five-point lead, 44-39, when UNA burned a timeout. 

Coming out of the break, the Bisons went on a 13-3 run to see the lead hit double figures. Later, the Bisons made it a 17-point advantage at the end of the third, 61-44. 

Lipscomb put up 30 in the third quarter, going 11-of-14 from the floor and 5-of-6 from beyond the arc, while holding UNA to 13 points and forcing seven turnovers. 

UNA did trim the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter with free throws by Sara Wohlgemuth, but a Bella Vinson layup on the other end sealed the victory.

KEY STATISTICS
Claira McGowan led the Bisons with a season-high 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting. She went off in the third quarter with 11 points on a perfect 4-of-4 from the field and three triples. 

Bella Vinson added another 20-point game to her ledger, connecting on 7-of-14 from the floor. She added six rebounds and four steals. 

Molly Heard went 7-of-12 from the field with 17 points and four boards, while Ainhoa Cea added eight assists. 

HERD NOTES
Lipscomb matched its Division I era record of 20 wins in a season on Saturday. The Bisons also hit 20 dubs in 2023 and 2004. 

For the third time in the Lauren Sumski era, the Bisons return to the semifinals. Overall, they will make their sixth semifinal appearance.

Lipscomb's 30-point third quarter marked the most in a third quarter this season.

UP NEXT
After Central Arkansas defeated Bellarmine on Saturday evening, Lipscomb will make the trip to the No. 2 seed Sugar Bears on Tuesday night for a 6:30 p.m. tip.