NASHVILLE, TENN. - - Despite holding the opposition to a season-low in points and 18 points below its season average, Belmont men's basketball dropped a 64-53 decision at Lipscomb Monday night.
The 125th edition of the 'Battle of the Boulevard' series would be truly bewildering, as two of the Atlantic Sun Conference's top offensive teams labored offensively the entire evening.
Baskets from sophomore Scott Saunders (New Orleans, La.) and junior Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.) got Belmont off to a nice start. But the Bruins would muster one field goal over the next seven and a half minutes as promising interior chances would rim off or be deterred by helpside Bison defense.
Nevertheless, sound halfcourt Bruin defense kept the team in the game. Following a basket from Jordan Burgason, consecutive scores from sophomore Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) and Saunders got the Bruins within 14-10 with 8:10 left in the first half.
After Saunders added one free throw, the teams again exchanged defensive stops before two baskets from Josh Slater increased the Lipscomb lead to eight, 23-15, with 3:32 in the half.
With both Saunders and Hedgepeth straddled with three personal fouls and freshman Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) in a rare slow offensive half, the Bruins received a nice boost off the bench from freshman Brandon Baker (Milford, Ohio).
Baker's hustle plays allowed Belmont to creep within 25-19 at the break.
The Bruins shot 29 percent (8-for-28) in the opening 20 minutes. Moreover, 2-for-8 shooting from the free throw line, including three consecutive missed one-and-one free throw opportunities hurt the cause.
But after Hedgepeth picked up his fourth foul seven seconds into the second half, the host Bisons slowly seized control. Sophomore Drew Hanlen (St. Louis, Mo.) sank a wing three-pointer to get the Bruins within 34-27 with 17:48 left, before Burgason answered with five unanswered points.
Belmont had numerous opportunities to get within five or six points midway through the second half, but each possession went empty. Belmont head coach Rick Byrd went with every lineup imaginable - all 12 Bruins who dressed saw action - seeking a hot shooting hand. And after Saunders picked up his fourth personal foul with 13 minutes left, the offensive spark just never materialized.
Behind some savvy play from Clark, Belmont got within 51-41 with 6:12 left on a layin from junior Jon House (Guelph, Ont., Canada). But two more baskets from Slater extinguished the final Bruin push.
Though the Bruin squad would fight hard to the final horn, shots continued to rim off on this most frigid of shooting nights.
All told, Belmont shot 21-for-60 from the field - including just 3-for-25 from three-point distance. The Bruins were also an uncharacteristic 8-for-19 from the free throw line.
The Bruins committed just 13 turnovers, their fewest since committing eight at Eastern Illinois Nov. 28. Belmont also held Lipscomb to a season-low 64 points and 36 percent shooting - the Bisons' second-lowest single-game shooting percentage of the season.
Saunders scored a team-high nine points, while Clark and senior Keaton Belcher (Butler, Ky.) each scored eight.
Hanlen added seven points, seven assists, five rebounds and zero turnovers.
Slater led Lipscomb (8-7, 5-1 Atlantic Sun) with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Belmont (9-7, 4-2 Atlantic Sun) returns to action Thursday, Jan. 14 at North Florida. Tip-off is set for 6:45 pm CT.
The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network and flagship 104.5 The Zone. Live video streaming will be provided via ASun.TV.
