NASHVILLE – The Trevecca Nazarene University men's basketball team (1-9, 1-1 Great Midwest) fell to longtime rivals Lipscomb University (4-6, 0-0 ASUN), 96-72 in Allen Arena on Sunday.

SERIES/HISTORY: 

The Trojans trail the Bison 46-16 in the all-time series. Before tonight, the two teams last met in an exhibition game during the 2010 season in which Lipscomb won 106-59. Tonight's game was the first regular-season game in nearly 20 years when Lipscomb last defeated Trevecca 110-73 on Feb. 5, 2000.

*Austin Wills (JR/Benton, IL)' seven made 3-pointers tied a career-high for the junior. The Trevecca record for made 3-pointers in a game was tied last season by sharpshooter Evan Ragsdale (JR/Nashville, TN) when he hit nine in a game versus Tiffin.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Trojans relied on Division I transfer Adam Webb (JR/Lakeland, FL) to get the offense started early. Webb hit a jumper and then a 3-pointer to give the Trojans an early 5-4 lead over the Bisons at the 18:28 mark. Lipscomb never established more than a six-point lead during the opening 20 minutes as the Trojans offered a response to nearly every made Bisons basket. The Trojans strung together an impressive 67% (10-15) total from 3-point range in the first half, led by Austin Wills who registered 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting at the break. Two made free-throws by Reed Smith (SR/Brentwood, TN) with 5:14 once again gave Trevecca a one-point lead before a 5-0 run by Lipscomb offered them a four-point advantage. The Trojans countered with baskets from Imani Starling (JR/Nashville, TN) and Evan Ragsdale to regain the lead. With 1:07 remaining in the half Evan Ragsdale tied the game at 41-41 and an Austin Wills made 3-pointer gave the Trojans a 46-44 halftime lead. The Trojans would take a three-point lead on a couple of occasions in the second half but the Bisons depth overpowered the visiting Trojans. The game was last tied at 59-59 with 14:21 to play before an 8-0 Lipscomb run buried Trevecca. From there, Lipscomb strung together a few runs down the stretch, keeping Trevecca scoreless for long lengths of time, winning 96-72.

TEAM STATS BREAKDOWN

The Trojans shot 45.6% (26-57) from the field, 54.5% (6-11) from the foul line and were 53.8% (14-26) shooters from 3-point range.

The Bisons outrebounded the Trojans 37-23, also edging Trevecca in assists, 18-12 and steals, 6-2.

PLAYER STATS REPORT

Austin Wills (21) led the scoring for the Trojans win a career-high tying seven made 3-pointers. Reed Smith supplied 13 points, four assists, and three rebounds. Evan Ragsdale connected for 10 points and a pair of rebounds while Chris Rogers (FR/St. George, VA) helped out with eight points off the bench.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Trojans take a break from playing for finals week before hosting G-MAC rivals Cedarville (5-4, 3-0 Great Midwest) on Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 PM.

The conference-leading Yellow Jackets hold a 12-6 lead in the all-time series, looking for their sixth straight victory over the Trojans; having not fallen to Trevecca since the 2016-2017 season.

MORE ABOUT THE TREVECCA TROJANS

Visit Official Home of Trevecca Athletics at www.tnutrojans.com

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