Lipscomb's Grant Asman led the charge as the Bisons defeated Stetson 79-74 at Allen Arena. Asman's 18 points and 6 rebounds were crucial in securing the win, which was predicted by CHD Scout with a 12.1-point margin of victory. Although the actual margin was narrower at 5 points, the prediction held true, with Lipscomb emerging victorious.
The game was closely contested, with Lipscomb taking a 34-29 lead into halftime. Stetson's Collin Kuhl was unstoppable, scoring 22 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of the Bisons. Asman was joined by Ethan Duncan, who added 13 points, and Titas Sargiunas, who chipped in 12 points and 5 assists.
Stetson made a push in the second half, outscoring Lipscomb 39-34, but the Bisons' first-half lead was the difference. Kuhl's dominant performance was complemented by Alex Doyle's 15 points and 8 rebounds, as well as Jake Johnson's 12 points and 9 rebounds. However, Lipscomb's depth and home-court advantage ultimately paid off.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The win improves Lipscomb's record to 13-7, while Stetson falls to 7-13. Although the margin of victory was not as wide as predicted, the outcome was never truly in doubt, with Lipscomb's lead fluctuating throughout the game. Asman's performance was a key factor, as he helped to stretch the defense and create opportunities for his teammates.
This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for Lipscomb, which means it was a relatively low-stakes matchup against a lower-ranked opponent. However, the Bisons still needed to come out on top to avoid a damaging loss to their tournament resume. By holding off Stetson, Lipscomb avoided a potential pitfall and maintained its position in the standings.
For Stetson, this game was a Quadrant 3 opportunity, which meant it had a chance to pull off a notable upset and boost its own tournament chances. Although the Hatters came up short, Collin Kuhl's impressive performance will surely catch the attention of scouts and opponents alike. As the season wears on, Stetson want to build on this effort and try to string together some wins to improve its postseason prospects.
The victory for Lipscomb may not have been as convincing as predicted, but it still carries significant weight in terms of the Bisons' tournament resume. By avoiding a loss to a lower-ranked opponent, Lipscomb has preserved its chances of making a deep run in the postseason. As the season enters its final stretch, the Bisons want to build on this win and make a push for a higher seed in the tournament.