Lipscomb's Ethan Duncan stole the show at Allen Arena, scoring 27 points to lead his team to a convincing 81-71 victory over Bellarmine. The win improves Lipscomb's record to 14-7, while Bellarmine drops to 7-13. Duncan's performance was the difference-maker, as he consistently found ways to score and create opportunities for his teammates.
The first half was all Lipscomb, as they built a 22-point lead by halftime, with the score sitting at 49-27. Duncan was unstoppable, scoring 17 points in the first 20 minutes, including several clutch shots to stretch the lead. Grant Asman also chipped in with 10 points and 5 rebounds, helping Lipscomb dominate the paint. Bellarmine, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, with Jack Karasinski being the lone bright spot, scoring 8 points in the first half.
In the second half, Bellarmine made a concerted effort to get back into the game, outscoring Lipscomb 44-32. Karasinski continued to impress, finishing with 16 points and 6 rebounds, while Brian Waddell added 13 points and 5 rebounds. However, it was too little, too late, as Lipscomb's lead proved insurmountable. Charlie Williams and Asman helped seal the win for Lipscomb, combining for 17 points in the second half.
Despite the loss, Bellarmine can take solace in their second-half performance, which showed glimpses of their potential. Karasinski's all-around game was a highlight, and his ability to score and rebound matters for Bellarmine's chances in future games. For Lipscomb, the win is a significant boost to their resume, particularly given that it was a Quadrant 4 game. With a current NET ranking of 152, Lipscomb want to build on this momentum to strengthen their tournament chances.
The outcome of this game had real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For Lipscomb, the win helps to mitigate the damage of a Quadrant 4 game, while for Bellarmine, the loss is a Quadrant 3 defeat. As the season enters its final stretch, every game counts, and both teams want to make the most of their remaining schedule.
In the end, Lipscomb's strong performance, led by Duncan's 27 points, proved too much for Bellarmine to handle. The win improves Lipscomb's record and boosts their confidence, while Bellarmine want to regroup and refocus for their next game. With the loss, Bellarmine's tournament chances take a hit, but they still have time to turn their season around. For Lipscomb, the victory is a step in the right direction, and they want to build on this momentum to make a push for the postseason.