CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — The play made “ESPN Sportscenter’s Top 10”, was featured on CBS Sports social media, on USA Today and New York Post websites, and shared on college basketball feeds all over the country.
March Madness, indeed.
Yes, we’re STILL talking about last night! #ASUNBuilt pic.twitter.com/GHXTeFlX9I
— #ASUNBuilt (@ASUNSports) March 6, 2024
Facing his former team, KJ Johnson hit the game-winner for the University of North Alabama as time expired, sending the Lions to the ASUN semifinal. The shot ended the season for Lipscomb, where the senior guard played his freshman and sophomore years.
UNA will face Austin Peay today at 7 p.m. in Clarksville, Tenn., while No. 2 seed Stetson hosts No. 10 seed Jacksonville. The ASUN final is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2.
Late game heroics … again
With 12 seconds remaining, UNA’s Johnson missed the front-end of a one-and-one and Lipscomb took advantage with a three-pointer by Owen McCormack to tie the game at 75-75. With four seconds left, Johnson rushed down the court and made a floater at the buzzer for the 77-75 victory, sending No. 6 seed UNA past No. 3 seed Lipscomb.
Want madness?
WE GOT YOUR MADNESS!#RaiseTheROAR | #RoarLions 🦁🔥 pic.twitter.com/PTTwkq6W4t
— North Alabama Men’s Basketball (@UNA_Basketball) March 6, 2024
That moment added to the big-play portfolio of Johnson, who also hit a buzzer beater against Ole Miss last season and had the go-ahead basket in the final moments against Jacksonville State in November. He is the second-highest active career scorer in the ASUN with more than 1,600 points.
Balanced attack
The Lions had five players in double figures, including junior Dallas Howell with a team-high 14 points on 4-for-7 shooting from downtown. Johnson was joined by senior Damian Forrest, junior Will Soucie and graduate Tim Smith Jr. with 11 points each. Forrest also had his third double-double of the season with 10 rebounds.
The balanced scoring continued with junior guard Detalian Brown and sophomore All-Conference guard Jacari Lane combining for 15 points. The Lions had 11 assists from six players, including Lane with four.
Lipscomb was led by All-Conference selection Will Pruitt with 20 points and Joe Anderson with 18 points. Both players went all 40 minutes for the Bisons.
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