NASHVILLE — Joe Anderson was instrumental in leading top-seeded Lipscomb to victory with a stellar performance, scoring 12 of his team-high 23 points in the crucial final four minutes. This surge led the Bisons to secure a 76-65 win against North Alabama on Sunday. The hard-fought victory not only clinched the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament championship for Lipscomb but also earned them an automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Lipscomb, boasting a 25-9 record, claimed a shared regular season title alongside North Alabama, with both teams recording 14 wins. Consequently, Lipscomb entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed. Their journey to the final was challenging, requiring overtime to overcome sixth-seeded Queens in the semifinals. Meanwhile, North Alabama, seeded second, reached the final by defeating fourth-seeded Jacksonville.
North Alabama initially gained an advantage in the latter half with Jacari Lane’s jumper placing them ahead. Then, Donte Bacchus added to their lead, making it 53-49 with a three-point play. However, the dynamic changed when Jacob Ognacevic capitalized on free throws and Will Pruitt hit a crucial 3-pointer, pushing Lipscomb to a 55-53 lead. Gyasi Powell’s 3-pointer extended this advantage, putting Lipscomb in total control for the remainder of the game.
In the closing minutes, Anderson successfully converted multiple scoring opportunities, including a deep 3-pointer that stretched the lead to 65-60. His efforts included hitting another 3-pointer during a 7-0 run, creating a 10-point gap with just 1:34 remaining. He also displayed composure under pressure by sinking 3 of 4 from the free-throw line as the game neared its end.
Anderson showcased outstanding accuracy, going 6 of 9 from the field with a 4 of 7 success rate from beyond the arc, and nearly perfect free-throw shooting, hitting 7 of 8. His all-around performance featured four assists, two steals, and three blocked shots. Pruitt also delivered a strong showing with a flawless 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, concluding the game with 17 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Powell contributed with precision from the perimeter, hitting 4 of 6 from 3-point range, while Ognacevic added 14 points and secured nine boards.
For North Alabama, Lane led the scoring with 18 points, and Corneilous Williams added 15 points alongside seven rebounds. Will Soucie chipped in with 10 points and six rebounds, while Taye Fields hauled in an impressive 12 rebounds along with his six points.
