KENNESAW, GA. - - While Belmont Basketball may not receive points for artistic impression Thursday night, the team earned a perfect 10 for heart and resolve. Overcoming frigid free throw shooting and a desperation three-pointer at the end of regulation, the Bruins defeated Kennesaw State in overtime, 75-70.
In the Atlantic Sun Conference opener, Belmont endured an uncharacteristically slow start. In fact, a long jumper from senior Keaton Belcher (Butler, Ky.) provided the Bruins their first field goal nearly four minutes in.
Both teams rode stingy halfcourt defense throughout, as clean looks proved hard to come by. An offensive rebound putback by Markeith Cummings gave the host Owls an 18-11 lead midway through the first half.
From there, Belmont held Kennesaw State scoreless over the next 9:08 and found a rhythm offensively. Belcher scored 11 points during the end-of-half push and the Bruins claimed a 28-21 lead at the break.
The Bruins shot just 41 percent (11-for-27) from the field in the first half, but held the Owls to 24 percent shooting.
Belcher opened the second half with a baseline slam dunk to increase the lead to nine, 30-21.
However, just as Belmont appeared on the verge of seizing control, Kennesaw State fired back. After missing 15 of 19 first half three-pointers, the Owls buried three in quick order to take a 34-32 edge with 15:50 left.
The seesaw affair continued, as freshman Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) put his full offensive arsenal on display during a 13-0 Bruin response as Belmont went back on top 45-34 with 11:51 to go.
Then after a Belcher trey lifted Belmont to a 50-40 edge with 10:02 remaining, Cummings and LaDaris Green carried the Owls during a 9-0 burst as Kennesaw State inched within one.
But a clutch baseline three-pointer from junior Jon House (Guelph, Ont., Canada) extended the Bruin lead back to four, 53-49, with 7:21 left.
Moreover, Belmont head coach Rick Byrd sprinkled in some possessions of zone defense down the stretch, causing Kennesaw State much consternation. In fact, the Owls would score only one field goal over the next seven minutes.
Yet, despite stringing numerous defensive stops together, the Bruins could not break free. Several empty trips to the free throw line in the final five minutes kept the game within two possessions.
Following one Clark free throw, a Matt Heramb three-pointer with 23 seconds left got the Owls within two, 56-54. After a foul on the ensuing inbounds pass, Clark again made one-of-two free throws to increase the Belmont lead to three with 21 seconds left.
Kennesaw State proceeded to work its final possession, running several dribble exchanges in search of a potential game-tying three. After 15 seconds of suffocating Belmont defense, Cummings elevated, shot, and made a fiercely contested 25-footer with 3.7 seconds remaining to tie the score at 57.
Following a Belmont timeout, freshman Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) raced upcourt, but his off-balance 20 footer at the buzzer rimmed off.
As one might imagine, the raucous and partisan Kennesaw State crowd came unglued following the Cummings' game-tying three-pointer and momentum seemingly fell in the Owls' category heading into overtime.
But exhibiting poise and team unity far beyond their years, the Bruins simply dusted themselves off and went back to work.
Belcher got Belmont on the board first in overtime on a nice feed from sophomore Drew Hanlen (St. Louis, Mo.). After a defensive stop, Clark then set up House for another interior score and a 61-57 lead with 4:17 to go.
After a Jon-Michael Nickerson mid range jumper cut the lead in half, Clark again played maestro, this time finding sophomore Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) for an easy two.
Then Hanlen created a steal on the defensive end and moments later buried a wing trey to stretch the lead to 66-59.
Following a Heramb miss, Clark connected with Belcher for two and a nine point cushion with 1:47 left.
But with Cummings still on the floor, nothing was overly safe. The ultra-talented Owl freshman scored two baskets in a 17 second span to get Kennesaw State within five, 68-63, with 1:21 to go.
And though Belmont would make just 7-of-14 free throws in the final 1:21 of overtime, the Bruins' defense and rebounding were strong enough to keep it outside of a one possession game to the final horn.
All told, Belmont shot 44 percent (25-for-57) from the field - including 8-for-25 from three-point territory. Belmont outrebounded Kennesaw State, 44-42, and handed out 17 assists on 25 made field goals.
Belcher led three Bruins in double figures with a career-high 26 points on 9-for-14 shooting. Clark added 16 points, four assists and three steals.
House scored 10 points.
Cummings led Kennesaw State (3-4, 0-1 Atlantic Sun) with 32 points.
Belmont (5-2, 1-0 Atlantic Sun) has won four consecutive games. The Bruins also win their conference opener for a seventh time in the last eight years.
Belmont returns to action Saturday afternoon at Mercer. Tip-off is set for 2:30 pm CT.
The live play-by-play from Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network.
