MURFREESBORO, TENN. - - Behind 20 points from freshman Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) and a season-high 17 points from junior Jon House (Guelph, Ont., Canada), Belmont men's basketball defeated Middle Tennessee Tuesday night, 83-71, for its sixth consecutive victory.
Playing their fifth game in 11 days, the Bruins showed no signs of mental or physical fatigue from the start. A short hook from sophomore Scott Saunders (New Orleans, La.) capped a 10-0 run and gave the Bruins a 12-4 lead four minutes in.
After the host Blue Raiders trimmed the lead to three, senior Keaton Belcher (Butler, Ky.) made a three-pointer and Saunders scored down low once more to bump the lead back to eight, 19-11, less than seven minutes into the game.
A brief scoring flurry from James Gallman put Middle Tennessee up 24-22 midway through the first half; a lead that proved to be short-lived and the Blue Raiders' last edge of the evening.
Though freshman Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) would be hindered by foul trouble, House and freshman Brandon Baker (Milford, Ohio) supplied good first half production on both ends of the floor as Belmont stretched out to a 38-30 lead late in the half. A Trevor Ottley basket finished the first half scoring, as the Bruins led 38-32 at the break.
It was a strong first half for the Bruins, who shot a sparkling 62 percent (16-for-26) from the floor and handed out 11 assists on 16 made field goals. Only 13 first half turnovers marred an otherwise stellar opening 20 minutes.
Belmont opened the second half in fine form. Johnson followed up a Belcher score with a steal and contested layin of his own, giving the Bruins a 42-34 lead with 19:01 left.
The Blue Raiders inched within 44-42 on a baseline trey from Rod Emanuel, before two silky smooth jumpers from Clark and another interior score from Saunders extended the Bruin lead back to eight.
The offensive ebb-and-flow continued, as another burst from Gallman was resoundingly answered by Clark. Moreover, treys from House and junior Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.) helped the Bruin keep a 62-56 lead midway through the second half.
Solid scoring from Desmond Yates, the All-Sun Belt performer making his 2009-10 debut following a preseason injury, and Montarrio Haddock inhibited the Bruins from pulling away.
With Belmont leading 64-61, Johnson scored seven straight Bruin points on aggressive, fearless drives. Sophomore Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) tacked on two free throws to give Belmont a 73-65 lead with 4:38 left.
After Haddock cut the margin in half with four free throws of his own, Johnson delivered arguably the play of the game, a timely drive and assist to House for a conversion plus the foul with 2:30 left.
After Yates cut the score to 75-71 with 1:27 remaining, Belmont broke Blue Raider pressure defense cleanly with Campbell finding Clark for an easy layin and a six point lead.
Clark and Johnson combined on 6-for-6 free throw shooting in the final 56 seconds as Belmont ended the game on an 8-0 run.
All told, Belmont shot 60 percent (28-for-47) from the floor - including 9-for-16 from three-point territory. Belmont outrebounded Middle Tennessee, 35-29, and shot 18-for-25 from the free throw line in the second half.
Aside from Clark's 20 and House's 17, Hedgepeth added 13 points and five rebounds, while Johnson recorded 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Yates led Middle Tennessee (3-5) with 20 points.
Belmont (7-2, 2-0 Atlantic Sun) returns to action Wednesday, Dec. 16 at St. Louis. Tip-off is set for 7 pm CT. The live play-by-play from Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network and 104.5 The Zone.
