SEATTLE, WASH. - - After matching the defending Pac-10 Champions shot for shot for 20 minutes, Belmont Basketball dropped a 96-78 decision at 13th-ranked Washington Saturday night.
The Bruins, following an impressive victory over Portland State on Friday, got off to an inauspicious start the Huskies raced out to a 6-0 lead 90 seconds in. But a mid-range jumper from senior Keaton Belcher (Butler, Ky.) and a layin from sophomore Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) momentarily silenced the Husky crowd and allowed the Bruins to settle in.
Both teams were scorching from the floor early on, but back-to-back three-pointers from Isaiah Thomas and Abdul Gaddy gave Washington an 18-9 lead just over five minutes in.
Though freshman Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) would be hindered by two personal fouls, Belmont systematically worked its way back into the game.
Five points from freshman Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) and a three-pointer from Belcher highlighted a 10-2 Belmont run which got the Bruins within 24-22 midway through the first half.
Then after two free throws from freshman Brandon Baker (Milford, Ohio), Belmont continued the positive momentum as consecutive interior baskets from sophomore Scott Saunders (New Orleans, La.) tied the score at 34 with 5:08 left in the half.
Following a defensive stop, the Bruins freed junior Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.) for a three-pointer and their first lead of the game, but the shot rimmed out.
Washington proceeded to ratchet up the defensive pressure and embark on an 11-0 run of its own late in the half. A Thomas three-pointer in front of the Bruin bench - while being fouled - gave the Huskies a 45-34 edge with 2:23 in the half.
Though hurt by two missed one-and-one free throw opportunities during the Husky spurt, a trey by Clark moments later helped stem the tide as the Bruins went to the locker room down 10, 49-39.
Belmont more than held its own offensively in the first half, shooting a sparkling 56 percent (14-for-25) from the floor. But Washington - one of the nation's top rebounding teams last year - grabbed 10 offensive rebounds in the first 20 minutes, greatly aiding its offensive output.
The Bruin coaching staff knew that defending Isaiah Thomas - arguably the most dangerous left-hander in Seattle next to Ichiro - would be a chore. Perhaps what they didn't anticipate was an offensive explosion from forward Matthew Bryan-Amaning.
The Englishman, who in 66 career games coming in had scored 15 or more points four times, thwarted the Bruins' valiant effort to get back into the game.
After a backdoor dunk from Belcher and a Campbell three-pointer got Belmont within 51-44 with 19:20 left, Bryan-Amaning scored four baskets in a two and a half minute span to stretch the Husky lead back to 11.
Two quick buckets from Clark got the Bruins within nine, 59-50, but the offensive efficiency and rebounding strength of Washington took hold.
A Quincy Pondexter putback capped a 21-8 Husky run midway through the second half.
Belmont was unable to get back within single digits thereafter.
For the game, the Bruins shot 51 percent (27-for-53) from the floor - including 7-for-18 from three-point range.
However, Washington's offensive rebounding prowess allowed the host team to attempt 22 more shots than Belmont.
Saunders paced four Bruins in double figures, scoring 14 of his career-high 18 points after intermission. Clark added 14 points while Belcher had 12 and Hedgepeth 10.
Sophomore Drew Hanlen (St. Louis, Mo.) had six assists and zero turnovers against the Husky pressure.
Pondexter led Washington (2-0) with 25 points, while Thomas and Bryan-Amaning each added 23.
The Huskies went 25-for-29 from the free throw line.
Belmont (1-1) wraps up the Athletes in Action Classic Sunday against Wright State. Tip-off is set for 6:30 pm CT.
The live play-by-play from Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network at belmontbruins.com.
