NASHVILLE, TENN. - - Behind a 15-0 run to open the game and clutch second half three-pointers, Belmont men's basketball defeated Tennessee State Monday night, 69-60.
The Bruins, coming off convincing victories over Alabama State and Eastern Illinois, continued their fine form out of the gates. Junior Jon House (Guelph, Ont., Canada) and sophomore Scott Saunders (New Orleans, La.) each scored two baskets during the spirited run to open the game.
Josh Sain ended the five and a half minute Tiger scoring drought with two free throws. In fact, Tennessee State replied with 11 unanswered points of its own to claw within 15-11 eight minutes in.
Belmont regained momentum on a short jump shot from sophomore Drew Hanlen (St. Louis, Mo.) and a baseline slam from senior Keaton Belcher (Butler, Ky.).
However, the visiting Tigers began dictating tempo with intense full court pressure defense.
After the Bruins extended out to a 10 point lead, 24-14, on a wing trey from freshman Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.), Tennessee State fought back, cutting the margin in half, 32-27, by intermission.
The Bruins held Tennessee State to 29 percent (9-for-31) shooting from the field in the opening 20 minutes, but nine turnovers and 1-for-10 three-point shooting kept the home team from breaking free.
The second half opened much like the first, with Belmont clicking on both ends. A Belcher trey, followed by an interior basket from sophomore Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) pushed the Bruin edge to 11, 38-27, with 18:07 left.
But each time Belmont appeared poised to seize complete control, Tennessee State's relentless pressure defense led them back into the game.
A straight away three-pointer from Jeremiah Crutcher got the Tigers within 47-41 with 11:06 left. However, freshman Brandon Baker (Milford, Ohio) replied with a baseline triple of his own to up the lead back to nine, 50-41.
Moments later, Saunders delivered a strong conventional three-point play to give Belmont a 53-42 lead midway through the second half.
Though Belmont defended Tennessee State well on initial shot opportunities, the Tigers hung around behind offensive rebound baskets and points off of turnovers.
Following a Sain trey, junior Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.) buried a deep wing three-pointer against the shot clock before House tacked on an offensive rebound basket as the Bruins led 60-47 with 6:31 to go.
Belmont maintained its double-digit lead until a Sain basket at the horn. However, the Bruins did not conjure images of Calvin Murphy or Larry Bird from the free throw line in salting the game away.
Belmont went an uncharacteristic 14-for-29 from the charity stripe.
All told, the Bruins shot 49 percent (25-for-51) from the field - including 5-for-20 from three-point territory. Belmont held Tennessee State to 32 percent shooting, and outrebounded the Tigers, 42-41.
Johnson paced three Bruins in double figures with a career-high 14 points, five assists and three steals. Saunders added 13 points, while House chipped in 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Hedgepeth grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.
Martell Buie led balanced Tennessee State (1-6) scoring with eight points.
Belmont (4-2) returns to action Thursday night at Kennesaw 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.
John Langdon of Belmont Media Relations is also expected to provide a live blog from courtside of the Belmont-Kennesaw State game.
