Men's Basketball Falls at Lipscomb on Last-Second Shot

Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - The 149^th installment of the Battle of the Boulevard proved yet again why the Belmont-Lipscomb series is one of the great treasures in college basketball.
 
In a game marked by six ties and 16 lead changes, Jacob Ognacevic's layin with one second remaining lifted Lipscomb to a 77-75 victory over Belmont Monday night from Allen Arena.
 
It was the second consecutive Monday where the Bruins saw the outcome decided on the final play, after Cade Tyson lifted Belmont to victory over Ohio Nov. 7.
 
But Lipscomb delivered the final haymaker after a litany of body blows and standing eight-counts.
 
Belmont scored seven of the first 10 points and built a 22-17 lead on a Drew Friberg basket.
 
However, the Bruins battled first-half turnovers, missed free throws and several uncharacteristic misses around the rim that enabled Lipscomb to turn things in its favor.
 
Consecutive baskets from Ognacevic and AJ McGinnis gave Lipscomb a 37-32 lead with 33 seconds left in the half.
 
Ben Sheppard, whose inspired, all-court game sustained Belmont through much of the opening half, found Isaiah Walker for a closing basket to get Belmont within 37-37 at halftime.
 
Belmont shot 47 percent (14-for-30) from the field in the opening 20 minutes.
 
Four Bruins scored during a jaw-dropping 12-0 run early in the second half as an Even Brauns slam gave Belmont a 46-39 lead.
 
Cade Tyson continued his strong offensive play as his consecutive baskets pushed the lead to 10, 52-42, with 14:42 remaining.
 
With Lipscomb All-Atlantic Sun center Ahsan Asadullah in foul trouble throughout the game, the Bisons turned to Ognacevic and smaller lineups, finding success.
 
After a Sheppard drive and a Tyson conventional 3-point play, Belmont endured a four-plus minute scoring drought with Friberg in foul trouble.
 
Led by Trae Benham, Lipscomb reclaimed a 58-57 lead with 8:51 left on an Ognacevic basket.
 
Two baskets from Ja'Kobi Gillespie put Belmont back ahead, 64-63, with 6:22 remaining.
 
Both teams were managing fouls and physical play as Belmont endured another brief cold spell.
 
Matt Schner capped a 22-7 Lipscomb stretch with two free throws to make the score 71-64 with 3:58 left.
 
Gillespie responded with a gorgeous baseline reverse layin to spark a Belmont charge.
 
After two Sheppard free throws, Gillespie scored four straight points to get Belmont within two, 75-73, with 1:25 left.
 
The Bruins then forced a Lipscomb shot clock violation with 49 seconds left, before Gillespie was whistled for a turnover along the baseline while driving on a Lipscomb defender.
 
In need of another defensive stop, Gillespie again delivered, tipping the ball away from McGinnis with 20 seconds left, forcing a wild scramble and several exchanged possessions which ultimately led to Gillespie getting blocked at the rim by Derrin Boyd.
 
Michael Shanks gathered the loose ball and was fouled in the act of shooting with 11 seconds left.
 
Following a long delay with Schner fouling out of the game, Shanks confidently made both free throws to tie the game at 75.
 
Each team would call timeout before the final sequence, which saw Boyd work a two-man game with Ognacevic near the top of the key.
 
As Boyd drove towards the left wing, Ognacevic cut to the basket, received a return pass, and scored with one second remaining.
 
Belmont's final pass downcourt would be tipped away as the horn sounded.
 
It was a difficult result as Belmont had won six consecutive meetings and 17 of the last 19 in the series.
 
All told, Belmont shot 47 percent from the field, but was only 2-of 9 from 3-point distance in the second half.
 
The Bruins scored 46 points in the paint.
 
Sheppard led four Bruins in double figures with 19 points. He added eight rebounds and five assists.
 
Tyson scored 15 points.
 
Gillespie had 12 points, three rebounds and three steals, while Friberg added 10.
 
Benham led Lipscomb (2-1) with 21 points.
 
Belmont (1-2) returns to game action Friday vs. Tarleton State in the first round of the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam.
 
NOTES: This game marked the fourth time since 2016-17 that a Belmont-Lipscomb game ended on a game-winning shot

• Nov. 29, 2016: Evan Bradds to Dylan Windler, Belmont wins 64-62
• Dec. 6, 2016: Taylor Barnette 3-pointer, Belmont wins 78-76
• Dec. 4, 2018: Caleb Hollander floater, Belmont wins 76-74
• Nov. 14, 2022: Jacob Ognacevic layin, Lipscomb wins 77-75

 
This marks the first time a coach other than Rick Byrd or Casey Alexander won a Boulevard game since Jan. 6, 2012.