Monday, January 11, 2010

MACON, Ga. – The Atlantic Sun Conference Women’s Basketball Game of the Week features the latest installment of the “Battle of the Boulevard” as the Belmont Bruins travel down Belmont Boulevard to face the Lipscomb Lady Bisons at 5:30 p.m. CT on Monday from Allen Arena. The game airs on A-Sun.TV and CSS.

The Bruins emerge from the weekend after a final-buzzer loss against USC Upstate on Thursday at the Curb Event Center. Belmont found it difficult to hold to the lead, even with freshman Alyssa Visbeen turning in a career-high 14 points. Amber Rockwell finished with 13 points, while sophomore Haley Nelson contributed nine points during the contest. Senior guard Kristin Bunch and Nelson totaled seven rebounds apiece, while junior Shaunda Strayhorn finished with four assists.

Meanwhile, the Lady Bisons also return from a loss to the Spartans on Saturday, as Lipscomb could not sustain the pace in the 63-51 defeat at home in Allen Arena. Freshman Hannah Phillips led the Lady Bisons with 15 points, to go along with two rebounds and two steals, while sophomore Anna Bowers posted 15 points with four rebounds and four steals. Junior guard Jenna Bartsokas finished with six assists, five points and two steals, while sophomore Brittany Duerk added six rebounds.

The last time the women’s version of the “Battle of the Boulevard” ensued on Feb. 10, Belmont emerged victorious, 61-60, at Allen Arena, as Rockwell hit a jump shot in the paint with 2.6 seconds remaining. The senior guard finished with 13 points while Bunch chipped in with eight points and eight rebounds. For Lipscomb, sophomores Anna Bowers and Chelsea Burroughs each scored 12 points, including three 3-pointers each. Sophomore Clair Waggener grabbed a season-high and a game-high nine rebounds.

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Players to Watch
* Kristin Bunch, Belmont – Bunch collects 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest for Belmont. The senior guard scored eight points and eight rebounds during the last edition of the women’s basketball “Battle of the Boulevard.

* Haley Nelson, Belmont – Nelson added nine points against USC Upstate on Thursday. The sophomore leads the Bruins in rebounding (10.2 rpg), while also averaging 12.3 points per game. Nelson also leads the A-Sun in blocks at 2.17. The Scottsboro, Ala. native joins ETSU’s Siarre Evans and Mercer’s Courtney Ford as the only three players in the conference averaging a double-double.

* Amber Rockwell, Belmont – Rockwell leads the Bruins with 13.7 points per game. The senior guard finished with 13 points in Belmont and Lipscomb’s last meeting.

* Jenna Bartsokas, Lipscomb – Bartsokas posted six assists, five points and two steals against USC Upstate. The junior guard paces the Lady Bisons attack, netting 11.7 points per contest and hitting on 33.3 percent of her 3-point tries.

* Anna Bowers, Lipscomb – Bowers posted 15 points with four rebounds and four steals against the Spartans on Saturday. The sophomore guard scored 12 points, including three 3-pointers in Belmont and Lipscomb’s last meeting.