For the second time in program history, Lipscomb University captured the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Men's Basketball Championship after defeating North Alabama, 76-65, on Sunday inside Allen Arena.
At the first timeout of the game, ASUN Player of the Year Jacob Ognacevic (6'8''-F) and Gyasi Powell (6'3''-G) led the Bisons with five points apiece. Lipscomb held a 13-8 advantage on the scoreboard that grew to 15-8 after two Will Pruitt (6'3''-G) free throws after the break. With 11:43 on the first-half clock, the Bisons' lead had grown to 21-10 after Joe Anderson (6'0''-PG), a Third Team All-ASUN selection, connected on his first three-pointer of the game. At the 6:22 mark, the Lions had trimmed the deficit to five, trailing 27-22. All-ASUN First Team member Jacari Lane (6'0''-PG-2003) had nine points for UNA at that point on 4-of-9 shooting. A pair of Ognacevic free throws gave the Bisons a six point lead, 35-29 going into the half.
Both teams came out of the break making shots, with the Lions finally able to pull even at 41 points with 15:29 to play. A few minutes later, Lane connected on a triple to give UNA its first lead of the game with the score 44-43. A three-pointer from Daniel Ortiz (6'0''-PG) gave the Lions a 56-55 lead heading into the under-eight media timeout. A pair of Pruitt free throws and a Powell jumper put the Bisons ahead by two, 60-58 at the 4:13 mark. The Bisons continued to extend their lead with six consecutive Anderson points, giving Lipscomb a 10-point lead, 72-62 at the 1:22 mark. UNA was able to cut the Bisons lead to eight late before a pair of Anderson free throws secured the victory for the home team.

ASUN Final:
Lipscomb - North Alabama 76-65

ASUN Semifinals:
Lipscomb - Queens 81-75
North Alabama - Jacksonville 78-63

ASUN Quarterfinals:
FGCU - Queens 65-71
Jacksonville - EKU 78-67
Lipscomb - Central Arkansas 84-66
North Alabama - Austin Peay 90-64

ASUN First Round:
Austin Peay - North Florida 90-69
Stetson - Central Arkansas 72-77

Courtesy of asunsports.org