The ETSU men’s basketball team was in action Saturday evening against the Lipscomb Bisons. A blown first-half lead by the Bucs led to clutch free throws that ultimately broke the Bisons five-game winning streak. A close final of 81-78 improves the Bucs overall record to 15-11, and 9-4 in A-Sun action. Lipscomb falls to 13-14 overall, and 7-6 in the A-Sun.
In the first half the Bucs showed dominance over the Bisons by out-rebounding them 27-19, and increasing their second chance opportunities. With 42 percent first-half 3-point shooting the Bucs went to the locker room with a six-point lead.
The Bisons showed that they could keep up with the Bucs after the half-time break. Compiling 55 percent of their perimeter shots helped them close the gap as the game ultimately came down to free-throw attempts from Kenyona Swader (Smyrna, Tenn.) and Travis Strong (Memphis).
“We did a good job making all our free throws,” said forward Andrew Reed (Pt. Richey Fla.). Reed also posted a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds, one short of the double-double.
On the other hand, Swader completed the double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the victory. Micah Williams (Manchester, Tenn.) had a career-high 14 points in 17 minutes of play.
“A lot of our guys stepped up tonight,” said guard Courtney Pigram (Memphis). “We came out hard but we let up,” Pigram played the point guard for most of the game.
“I thought it was a good bounce-back win for us coming off the game against Belmont,” said ETSU head coach Murry Bartow in the post game press conference.
“We needed to get off 14 wins and get to 15, but it wasn’t always pretty there at the end.”
The Bucs will look to avenge their early season loss to Gardner-Webb, at Boiling Springs Thursday at 7 pm. “Gardner-Webb’s a tough match up for us the way they play. They really sweat you out, shoot the threes,” Bartow said.
Looking ahead to the A-Sun tournament Bartow said, “We need to try to play better and get a few more wins before we head into the tournament.

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