Men's Basketball Holds On for 78-77 Home-Opening Win over SIU Edwardsville

Saturday, November 7

Nashville, Tenn.

4 pm

Lipscomb University

1-2,0-0ASUN

SIU Edwardsville

2-1,0-0OVC

Team	1	2	F
SIUE	35	42	77
Lipscomb	46	32	78

Box Score (PDF)

11/7/2026 8:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

NASHVILLE – Bisons Weekend wrapped up with a bang inside Allen Arena on Saturday night. The Lipscomb University Men's Basketball team (1-2) defeated Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (2-1) by a 78-77 score after a Kennedy Okpara dunk and a Devyn Martin free throw gave the Bisons the win.

First Half
- The Bisons scored 46 points in the half to SIUE's 35, shooting 15-for-30 from the field and 9-for-11 at the free-throw line.
- The 3-point line created separation, with the Bisons going 7-for-19 while SIUE finished 1-for-6 despite a 28-16 edge in paint points.
- The Bisons turned SIUE's nine turnovers into a 13-4 advantage in points off turnovers, including an 8-0 run that moved the score from 36-31 to 44-31 during an eight-possession defensive stand.

Second Half
- The Bisons secured the 78-77 win on Devyn Martin's free throw with seven seconds remaining after Kennedy Okpara's dunk tied the score at 77 with 45 seconds left.
- SIUE outscored the Bisons 42-32 in the half and held a 30-16 advantage in paint points.
- The Bisons offset 9-for-24 shooting by going 13-for-18 at the free-throw line and outrebounding SIUE 20-13 after halftime.

Key Statistics
Devyn Martin led the Bisons with 17 points and 10 rebounds, as four of the starting five scored in double figures.

Takai Simpkins knocked down 8-of-10 from the charity stripe and finished with 12 points and five assists, while Kennedy Okpara added 13 points in 19 minutes off the bench.

Mateo Esmeraldo picked up 13 points.

UP NEXT
The Bisons will have a week off before returning to the hardwood on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Western Carolina.