By: KSU Sports Information
Box Score
NASHVILLE– Markeith Cummings scored 22 points while LaDaris Green scored 13 points and added 12 rebounds, but Thursday night belonged to Lipscomb’s Adnan Hodzic as he scored 24 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in the Bisons, 74-66, win over Kennesaw State at Allen Arena.
The Owls (12-18, 7-12 A-Sun), who lead only during the first six minutes of the game, trailed by seven points at halftime and couldn’t overtake Lipscomb in the second half. However, on two occasions the Owls were able to cut the Bisons lead to four points.
Kennesaw State came within three points of Lipscomb with 1:58 left when Cummings converted a traditional three-point play to make the score, 67-64. Lipscomb (16-12, 13-6 A-Sun) was able to answer on the next possession. Michael Teller, who played just nine minutes, connected on his only basket of the night, a long-range three-pointer to seal the win for Bisons, who are in a three-way tie for second place along with Belmont and Campbell.
The Owls are now locked in as the No. 8 seed in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament, which begins next week in Macon, Ga. Kennesaw State, would play Jacksonville in the first round if the standings remain the same throughout the weekend. The Dolphins moved into sole possession of first place with a, 65-52, win over Campbell on Thursday night.
The Black and Gold, who took their last lead of the game at the 14:35 mark when they led 14-12 on a Jon-Michael Nickerson three-pointer, found themselves trailing by double-digits seven times during the remainder of the game. The resilient Owls battled back on every occasion, but could not manage to snap their losing streak which now stands at six games.
Cummings scored 15 points in the second half while Green nearly recorded a double-double in the second stanza, grabbing 11 rebounds and scoring eight points as he went elbow-for-elbow with Hodzic. Kurtis Woods scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half while Nickerson finished the night with 10 points.
Kennesaw State played a solid game, but had no answer for Hodzic who was 11-for-19 from the field as he became the fourth Lipscomb player to have a 20-point, 20-rebound night. The 20 rebound total was also an NCAA era record for Lipscomb.
The Owls will conclude the regular season on Saturday evening when they play the Belmont Bruins. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. EST and can be heard live on 920 am WGKA as well as on-line at www.920WGKA.com. Craig Corbin, play-by-play, and Scott Webb, color analyst, will call the action beginning with the Peachtree Orthopedic Clinic Pregame Show beginning at 7:45 p.m.
