Saturday, November 17th, 6:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Murphy Center (11,520) -- Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Television: None. Home Record: Lipscomb 0-0, SJSU 0-0. Away Record: Lipscomb 0-1, SJSU 1-0. Neutral Record: Lipscomb 0-3, SJSU 1-0. Conference Record: Lipscomb 0-0, SJSU 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The San Jose State Spartans will try to close out the First Shot Exempt Tournament with an undefeated mark this evening, as they take on the Lipscomb Bisons in the final round at the Murphy Center. The Spartans posted another thrilling victory last night, as they defeated Appalachian State by a narrow, 64-62, margin. It was a similar ending to Thursday's season-opening performance, when SJSU slipped past Middle Tennessee, 78-77. The victories marked the first time since the 1962-63 season that the Spartans have opened a campaign with back-to-back wins away from home. As for Lipscomb, its struggles continued last night with a 68-62 loss to host Middle Tennessee. It was the fourth straight loss to open the season for the Bisons, who were defeated by Appalachian State (81-58) in the opening round of this event. This bout will represent the first-ever meeting between Lipscomb and SJSU on the hardwood.

The Bisons shot a dismal 35.2 percent from the field and they made just 3- of-15 three pointers in a four-point loss to Middle Tennessee last night. The team also struggled at the foul line, where it went just 21-of-33. Making shots has been a problem early on for Lipscomb, which is making good on only 38.8 percent of its attempts from the floor and an even worse 28.8 percent from behind the arc. Michael Lusk paced the team in defeat with 16 points, while Eddie Ard tallied 15 points of his own. Brandon Brown also got into the mix, notching a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. On the season, Ard is the team's top scorer with 10.5 ppg and he is also collecting 4.0 rpg.

Justin Graham connected on a running jumper with 0.7 seconds left, lifting SJSU to a thrilling 64-62 win over Appalachian State last night. It was a second straight last second finish for the Spartans, who used a DaShawn Wright layup with five ticks left on the clock to defeat Middle Tennessee, 78-77, in its opener. Graham finished last game with 13 points and three steals, while Tim Pierce tallied 11. Wright, the hero in the opener, chipped in with 11 points for the Spartans, who dominated the boards 51-35. The big rebounding effort was much needed, as SJSU turned the ball over 19 times and shot just 33.9 percent from the floor. In the team's opener, SJSU committed 20 turnovers, but it compensated for that by shooting a blistering 62.2 percent from the field.

SJSU is playing with a great deal of confidence at the moment and it should be able to win this game a little more convincingly, considering Lipscomb's early season struggles.

Predicted Outcome

San Jose State 70, Lipscomb 60