By Annabella Ramirez
3/9/2025
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – 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 and Gyasi Powell 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 free throws after the break. With 11:43 on the first-half clock, the Bisons’ lead had grown to 21-10 after Joe Anderson, 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 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 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.
Lipscomb earned the league’s automatic qualifier to represent the ASUN in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. The Bisons await the NCAA selection show which airs on CBS at 6 PM ET on March 16 to see who they face first when March Madness begins.
All-Tournament Team
Joe Anderson, Lipscomb (MVP)
Jacob Ognacevic, Lipscomb
Will Pruitt, Lipscomb
Taye Fields, North Alabama
Jacari Lane, North Alabama
Robert McCray V, Jacksonville
Kalib Mathews, Queens
COURTESY ATLANTIC SUN CONFERENCE
