Nashville Standard

Lipscomb jumped on the Lions in the first quarter for an early advantage, but North Alabama managed to claw their way back into the contest to take a lead midway through the fourth quarter.
 
The Bisons converted on some crucial possessions down the stretch to hold on and take down North Alabama 62-60 in their ASUN opener. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
 
As they have often done this season, the Bisons took a sizable lead early. They converted on eight of their 13 field goals in the first quarter. 

The Bisons were also dialed in defensively in the opening 10 minutes, forcing UNA into shooting 3-of-17 from the floor and 1-of-10 from deep. 
 
Lipscomb's defensive pressure forced the Lions out of their rhythm helping the Bisons carry a 22-11 lead after one quarter of play. 
 
The Bisons have been a solid rebounding team so far this season, ranking first in total rebounds per game in the ASUN through non-conference play. 
 
Led by Aleah Sorrentino, who had an impressive night on the glass, the Bisons outrebounded UNA 16-4 in the first quarter.
 
One of the better rebounding guards in the conference, Blythe Pearson, was also active on the glass snagging down five rebounds in the period. 
 
In the second frame, the Lions closed the gap, cutting their deficit to five on a made three-pointer basket to force a Bisons timeout.

Lipscomb struggled to find the bottom of the net in the quarter after a hot shooting start. 
 
The Bisons shot just 4-of-13 from the floor and 0-3 from deep, while UNA began to heat up as they put in 7-of-16 buckets in the second.

After the Lions converted on a jumper to cut the Bisons lead to one possession (30-27) with 2:10 remaining, Lipscomb scored the quarters' final four points to take a 34-27 lead into the break. 
 
Aleah Sorrentino led the first half with 10 points and four rebounds. 
 
The third quarter saw little scoring as each team connected on four baskets. The units also combined for 11 turnovers in the third quarter, but still managed to hold a 7 point advantage (46-39) through three quarters. 
 
UNA began to mount their comeback in the fourth, going on a 8-0 scoring run to take the lead with 5:27 remaining in the contest, before Sorrentino converted inside to halt the run. 
 
With 4:09 remaining in the contest trailing by one, Claira McGowan gave the Bisons the spark they needed offensively to close the game out. 
 
McGowan buried back-to-back triples to retake and stretch their lead. 

The Lions continued to battle in the final minutes but their efforts were not enough as Lipscomb held on to win 62-60 in their ASUN opener. 

 

HERD NOTES

• Aleah Sorrentino notched her fourth double-double of the season as she recorded 19 points and 12 rebounds
• Jalyn Holcomb and Claira McGowan put in 12 points for the Bisons 
• Lipscomb outrebounded North Alabama 44-28
• The Bisons got to the line 23 times, converting on 17 of those attempts

Original source can be found here