NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive droughts and a decisive disparity in ball security, the Lipscomb Bisons overcame a shaky start to pull away from the North Florida Ospreys for an 82-74 victory in ASUN Conference men’s basketball on Saturday at Allen Arena.

The Bisons, who entered as heavy favorites, saw that status challenged early as North Florida’s Kent Jackson ignited a fast start. The Ospreys, however, could not sustain their momentum, and Lipscomb’s efficiency and command of the game’s tempo ultimately proved the difference.

North Florida opened the contest with clear intent, jumping to an early lead behind Jackson’s hot hand. The junior guard from Jacksonville, Florida, scored eight of his team’s first 10 points, including a pair of three-pointers, staking the Ospreys to a 10-1 advantage within the first four minutes. Lipscomb appeared disjointed, missing its first five field goal attempts and committing two early turnovers.

The Bisons slowly chipped away, finding a rhythm through forward Cole Middleton, who came off the bench to score 10 quick points. A three-pointer from Ethan Duncan at the 12:30 mark capped a 11-0 Lipscomb run, giving the home team its first lead at 12-10. The period settled into a back-and-forth affair, with North Florida’s Kamrin Oriol and Dante Oliver answering Lipscomb baskets to keep the Ospreys close. The half concluded with a flurry from Lipscomb’s Titas Sargiunas, who scored five points in the final minute, including a three-pointer at the buzzer, to send the Bisons into the locker room with a 38-35 advantage.

The most critical stretch of the game unfolded early in the second half, where Lipscomb effectively put the game out of reach. Capitalizing on North Florida’s offensive struggles, the Bisons unleashed a 14-2 run over a four-minute span. The surge was fueled by transition opportunities and precise outside shooting. Charlie Williams connected on two three-pointers during the run, while Ross Candelino and Mateo Esmeraldo also hit from deep. The burst transformed a narrow 43-38 lead into a commanding 57-40 margin with 15:16 remaining, and North Florida never recovered.

Lipscomb’s defense and ball control were the foundation of the victory. The Bisons committed only five turnovers, converting them into 21 fastbreak points, while North Florida’s 13 giveaways led to 11 Lipscomb points. The Ospreys, despite attempting 46 three-pointers and making 16, could not offset Lipscomb’s superior work on the glass and at the free-throw line. The Bisons grabbed 16 offensive rebounds, leading to 15 second-chance points, and made 15 of 22 free throws compared to North Florida’s perfect but minimal 4-for-4 performance.

Sargiunas led all scorers with 19 points for Lipscomb, adding two assists and a block. Williams provided a crucial boost with 14 points, and Grant Asman controlled the interior with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Esmeraldo orchestrated the offense with eight assists.

For North Florida, Jackson and Oriol each scored 19 points, with Oriol adding four assists. Oliver contributed 11 points off the bench. The Ospreys shot just 27 of 70 from the field overall, a 38.6 percent clip, and were outscored 26-20 in the paint.

The win improves Lipscomb to 9-6 overall and 2-0 in ASUN play. North Florida falls to 2-13 and 0-2 in the conference. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Jacksonville on Jan. 31.

Lipscomb next travels to face Stetson on Thursday, while North Florida returns home to host West Georgia the same night.