1. Garrison Matthews and Rob Mayberry have combined to create the Atlantic Sun’s most dynamic scoring duo. The junior pair average 22.1 and 19.2 points per game, respectively, in ASUN play, good enough for first and third on the conferences scoring list. Matthews struggled in the first half scoring only 6 points on 1 of 6 shooting, five of those misses coming from behind the arc. Matthews made up for his struggles banking in a three-point shot right before the halftime buzzer. Matthews scored 8 in the second half on 3 of 5 shooting, ending the night with 14 points.
2. For Marberry, his first half play was on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. The Franklin Road Academy product was a perfect 8-of-8 from the field and was also flawless at the line, connecting on both of his free throw attempts. Marberry’s 18 points led all scorers at the half. Not to be ignored, Marberry also had seven rebounds at the break. Marberry came back down to earth in the second half only making 5 of 7 shots. For the night, Marberry had a double-double, his fourth of the season, scoring 32 points, the third time he’s eclipsed the 30-point mark this season, and collecting 11 rebounds.
3. The plan heading into 2017-18, was for Nathan Moran to start at the point guard spot, after starting all 33 games last year and averaging 11.1 points per game and a team-high 4.2 assists per game. Unfortunately for the senior from Franklin’s Battle Ground Academy a hip injury has sidelined him for the entire season. Sophomore point guard Kenny Cooper has been masterful filling in for Moran. Cooper has averaged 9.1 points per game and led the team in assists with 96 on the season. The Nashville native is also ranked second in the ASUN in steals at 2.04 per contest. Cooper again showed his worth tonight, scoring 9 points and dishing out 9 assists.
4. Next up for the Bisons, the ASUN conference tournament. As the second seed, Lipscomb will host the seven-seed Stetson at Allen Arena on Monday night at 7:00 PM. The Bisons swept the regular season series between the two teams, winning 85-82 at home against the Haters, then 82-73 on the road in Deland. For now, all roads lead through Ft. Myers and the top seed Florida Gulf Coast, a.k.a Dunk City. The Eagles have been the dominant team throughout the conference schedule but have proven to be vulnerable having lost two straight, one of which came this past Saturday against the Bisons before tonight’s win at Stetson. We’re they to lose and Casey Alexander and the Bisons were to win their first two tournament games Allen Arena would play host to the title game.
5. Alexander and his squad should feel confident as they’ve been trending in the opposite direction of the top seed FGCU, winning five straight heading into the conference tournament. This team was in the same spot a year ago, before being bounced at home by North Florida in the semifinals. A year older and having accomplished a sweep against intracity rival Belmont and notched another 20-win season the Bisons are playing their best basketball of the season and all signs point toward them having a real chance at earning the programs first bid to the NCAA tournament.
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