North Alabama Falls Short in Biscuit City Showdown

Lipscomb Bisons dominated the North Alabama Lions in a convincing 73-51 victory, establishing a clear advantage from the outset. The final margin of 22 points, coupled with a decisive 49-25 second-half performance, underscored the disparity between the two teams.

The first half saw North Alabama maintain a narrow lead, 26-24, but Lipscomb seized control in the second half, outscoring their opponents by a wide margin to secure the win. The result marked a significant difference in NET rankings, with Lipscomb ranked #179 and North Alabama #338. The Bisons' victory serves as a testament to their relative strength within the conference.

Ross Candelino led Lipscomb with 16 points, converting 5 of his 7 field goal attempts, including a perfect 5 of 6 from beyond the three-point line. His 6 rebounds and single assist rounded out a well-rounded performance. Candelino's shooting efficiency, particularly from deep, was a significant factor in Lipscomb's victory.

Grant Asman contributed 12 points and a game-high 8 rebounds, also notching 3 blocks. His 6 of 8 field goal attempts were a testament to his inside scoring prowess, even if he struggled from three-point range. Titas Sargiunas chipped in 12 points of his own, along with 4 assists, but it was Candelino and Asman who stood out with their all-around efforts.

Kevin de Kovachich's 15 points were a bright spot for North Alabama, but his efficiency on offense left much to be desired, converting just 39% of his field goal attempts. He also struggled from beyond the arc, making only one of his five three-point attempts. Despite his best efforts, de Kovachich's scoring total fell short of what his team needed to stay competitive. His four rebounds were a respectable contribution, but not enough to make up for his team's overall defensive shortcomings.

Corneilous Williams and Donte Bacchus both struggled to find their rhythm on offense, with Williams scoring 12 points on 45% shooting and Bacchus managing 11 points on 33% shooting. Williams' 10 rebounds were a positive, but his inability to contribute on the defensive end or in the assist column limited his overall impact. Bacchus, meanwhile, was shut down by Lipscomb's defense, failing to register a single assist and struggling to find his footing in the paint.

Kellan Boylan's outing significantly exceeded his season averages in nearly every category, a stark departure from his typical contributions. The sophomore's production more than tripled in scoring, rebounding, and blocks, while his efficiency remained consistent, shooting 80% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. This marked a substantial uptick in his overall impact, showcasing his potential to make a more substantial impact on the game.

The final score of 73-51 in favor of Lipscomb was not a surprise, as the pre-game prediction of a 14-point victory held up. However, the margin of victory was significantly wider than anticipated. Upon closer examination of the game, it appears that Lipscomb's torrid shooting was a major factor in their decisive win.

Lipscomb's shooting percentages were off the charts, with an effective field goal percentage of 68.0% and a three-point shooting percentage of 40.0%. These numbers were well above their season averages, suggesting that the team was particularly hot from the field. Meanwhile, North Alabama struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 35.7% from the field and an abysmal 6.3% from three-point range. Additionally, North Alabama's high rebounding rate, which has been a strength for the team this season, was neutralized by Lipscomb's strong defensive rebounding.

The outcome of this game has significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament resumes. Lipscomb's victory, albeit in a Quad 4 contest, brings them to 18-11, with a NET ranking of #179. While their resume is still lacking in quality wins, a Quad 1 victory remains elusive, and their Quad 2 loss serves as a reminder of their limited success against top-tier opponents. However, they have maintained a respectable NET ranking, positioning them for a possible 13-seed or lower seeding in the tournament. North Alabama's loss, on the other hand, further erodes their already fragile NCAA Tournament hopes, now sitting at 8-19 with a NET ranking of #338. Their inability to secure a Quad 1 or 2 win in a Quad 3 contest severely jeopardizes their chances of receiving an at-large bid, and a 16-seed seeding appears increasingly likely. With this loss, North Alabama's NCAA Tournament dreams are rapidly fading into the abyss.