Lipscomb's high-powered offense proved too much for Florida Gulf Coast to handle, as the Bison secured an 84-77 victory at Alico Arena. Charlie Williams led the charge for Lipscomb, scoring 27 points and grabbing 7 rebounds to propel his team to their 14th win of the season. The victory was a reflection of Lipscomb's ability to score in bunches, as they outpaced Florida Gulf Coast 56-47 in the second half.
The first half was a closely contested affair, with Florida Gulf Coast taking a 30-28 lead into the break. J.R. Konieczny was a force to be reckoned with for the Eagles, scoring 12 of his 26 points in the opening stanza. However, Lipscomb's offense found its rhythm in the second half, with Williams and Titas Sargiunas combining for 31 points after the intermission. Sargiunas finished with 19 points on the night, while Grant Asman chipped in with 14 points for the Bison.
Konieczny's impressive performance was not enough to overcome the balanced attack of Lipscomb. The Eagles' forward added 10 rebounds to his 26 points, but his teammates were unable to match the scoring output of the Bison. Rahmir Barno contributed 15 points and 7 assists for Florida Gulf Coast, while Rory Stewart scored 12 points off the bench.
The win for Lipscomb was a Quad 3 victory, which will have a moderate impact on their NCAA tournament resume. With a current net ranking of 152, the Bison are still on the outside looking in when it comes to the tournament bubble. However, their victory over Florida Gulf Coast, who boasts a net ranking of 240, will help to bolster their resume. For the Eagles, the loss was also a Quad 3 game, which will not significantly harm their tournament chances, but will make it more difficult for them to climb out of their current position.
As the season wears on, Lipscomb want to build on this momentum and secure more wins against quality opponents. With their high-scoring offense and balanced attack, the Bison have the potential to make a deep run in the tournament. For now, they will focus on their next game, knowing that a strong performance will be necessary to stay in the hunt for a tournament berth. The win over Florida Gulf Coast is a step in the right direction, and Lipscomb want to continue their winning ways as they navigate the remainder of their schedule.