NASHVILLE, TENN. - - Despite a solid defensive effort, missed shots, missed free throws and turnovers proved too much to overcome as Belmont men's basketball fell in the final seconds to FGCU, 66-63, Saturday.
In their conference home opener, the Bruins rode five points from junior Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.) during an 8-0 run in claiming a 9-6 lead four and a half minutes in.
But a lengthy Bruin drought ensued, as the home team would go the next seven minutes without a field goal. Nevertheless, solid Belmont defense made the Eagles uncomfortable as well, as a somewhat sloppy, slugfest materialized.
After sinking a baseline three-pointer, freshman Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) found backcourt mate freshman Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) for a fast break layin which tied the score at 26 with 35 seconds left in the half.
Anthony Banks scored from inside to give the Eagles a 28-26 lead at halftime.
All told, the first half was nothing to write home about for either side offensively: 43 missed shots and 22 turnovers combined. Belmont went just 8-for-28 from the field.
In hopes of a change of fortune, Belmont stomached two Eagle offensive rebounds for kickout three-pointers early in the second half in failing behind 36-28.
But a spirited defense and three made three-pointers highlighted a 13-2 run which put Belmont on top 41-38 with 13:42 to go.
After sophomore Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) scored an interior basket, the Bruins again weathered a scoring drought midway through the half. Belmont went over six minutes without a field goal against the FGCU extended zone defense.
A Derrick O'Neil slam put the Eagles ahead 54-46 with 6:29 left.
Belmont inched within three, 57-54, on a baseline triple from Clark, before Kyle Marks scored a key basket on an inbounds play to stretch the margin back to five.
The teams traded scores before a baseline drive and slam from senior Keaton Belcher (Butler, Ky.) got the Bruins within 63-60 with 1:01 remaining.
Following two Reed Baker free throws, Clark again ripped the nets from long distance to get Belmont within two, 65-63, with 39 seconds to go.
Following a timeout and a stoppage to clarify the game and shot clock - underneath the FGCU basket - Baker attempted a risky inbounds pass by bouncing the ball off of Clark's back and stepping into the court to score. But the ball got deflected into the corner and went out of bounds with possession awarded to the Bruins.
Needing two points to tie or a three-pointer to win, the Bruins worked the offensive possession, before Clark drove the lane and fed Hedgepeth at the rim. Hedgepeth was fouled in the act of shooting with 3.4 seconds left.
With the crowd on its feet and needing both free throws to tie, Hedgepeth missed the first free throw attempt. With his team without any timeouts remaining, Hedgepeth then missed the second free throw intentionally in hopes of an offensive rebound opportunity.
But Marks grabbed the rebound and made one throw to provide the final margin.
All told, the Bruins shot just 34 percent (19-for-56) from the field - including 10-for-31 from three-point territory. Belmont also missed nine free throws and committed 20 turnovers.
The Bruins held FGCU to 41 percent shooting and outrebounded FGCU by one, 41-40.
Clark and Campbell each scored 15 points, while Hedgepeth added 12.
Baker led FGCU (5-7, 2-1 Atlantic Sun) with 14 points.
Belmont (7-6, 2-1 Atlantic Sun) returns to action Monday, Jan. 4 against Stetson. Tip-off is set for 7:15 pm CT from the Curb Event Center.
The live play-by-play from Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network, with video streaming via ASun.TV.
