Mathews scores record 43 points in 86-71 Lipscomb win

KENNESAW, Ga. -- Garrison Mathews scored a school-record 43 points with a career-high 13 rebounds and Lipscomb beat Kennesaw State 86-71 on Saturday night to open Atlantic Sun Conference play.

Matthews made 12 of 20 from the floor, including 4 of 9 3-pointers, and 15 of 17 free throws in breaking the 39-point school single-game record he set last season at Jacksonville. Mathews' 43 were the most points scored in an ASUN conference game since Feb. 20, 2012.

Eli Pepper scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Bisons (11-5), who made 12 3-pointers and 18 free throws.

Pepper scored Lipscomb's first 10 points, Aaron Korn's 3 put the Bisons up for good, 21-20, and Lipscomb led 51-35 at halftime behind Mathews' 21 points.

The Owls closed to 58-46 on Nick Masterson's layup early in the second half, but Mathews scored nine straight points for a 14-point lead, then four points in a 7-3 run for a 76-63 lead with 6:19 to play, and the Owls got no closer than 12 the rest of the way.

Masterson scored 17 points and Jordan Jones and James Scott added 15 apiece for Kennesaw State (4-12).