NASHVILLE, TENN. - - In another classic `Battle of the Boulevard' game, Belmont men's basketball was nipped in the final two minutes by Lipscomb Tuesday night, 78-72.
The 126th edition of the Belmont-Lipscomb series provided high drama and a high level of play following a defensive struggle at Allen Arena Jan. 11.
The enthusiastic mood and electric atmosphere leading into game was sadly subdued moments after tip. Unfortunately, just 26 seconds into the game, Lipscomb point guard Johnny Lee would suffer a leg injury and be forced to leave the game.
After falling behind 12-6 early, the Bruins held the Bisons scoreless for the next four-plus minutes in ripping off a 12-0 run. Senior Keaton Belcher (Butler, Ky.) scored five points during the run, and when sophomore Drew Hanlen sank a three-point field goal, the Bruins led 18-12 with 9:28 left in the first half.
Making his first career start, freshman Trevor Noack (Keller, Texas) scored an offensive rebound basket before freshman Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) swooped coast-to-coast for two and a 22-16 Bruin edge.
Noack extended the lead to 27-20 on a wing three-pointer before Josh Slater would score six points late in the half to help the Bisons get within one, 32-31, at halftime.
Belmont shot 46 percent (13-for-30) in the opening 20 minutes - including 5-for-14 from three-point distance. Clark scored nine first half points for Belmont.
The lead switched hands four times in the opening 90 seconds of the second half before Belmont forcefully broke free. Consecutive treys from Clark and junior Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.) increased the Belmont lead to seven, 42-35, with 17:04 left.
Following another Slater drive, Belcher and sophomore Drew Hanlen ripped the nets from long distance to stretch the lead to 48-37 with 13:58 to go.
A Belcher layin on a transition feed from Hanlen upped the margin to 13, 52-39, with 12:33 remaining.
But after a Lipscomb timeout, the Slater again seized control. He scored seven points during a quick 11-0 run that got Lipscomb within 52-50 with 9:28 left.
Campbell and Clark then answered with three-pointers as Belmont bumped the lead back to six, 60-54, with 7:25 left. Yet Lipscomb continued to press onward behind Slater and Hodzic.
Belmont committed its seventh team foul with over nine minutes left in regulation, allowing Lipscomb the opportunity to score from the charity stripe. And to the Bisons' credit, they took advantage.
Two Slater free throws and a Slater steal and slam trimmed the margin to 60-58. Junior Jon House (Guelph, Ont., Canada) replied with a determined interior basket before Michael Teller made a baseline three-pointer to get the Bisons within 62-61 with 6:10 left.
The trading of baskets continued as Clark drilled a deep wing trey to give Belmont a 65-61 lead. After Hodzic answered with a post basket, House again scored down low, off a nice assist from sophomore Scott Saunders (New Orleans, La.) to put Belmont back up four.
But following the under four media timeout, Slater made both ends of a one-and-one free throw trip to cut the lead back in half. Again the Bruins supplied an answer; Hanlen fed Belcher for an easy two and a 69-65 lead with 3:37 left.
Then after sophomore Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) came up with a steal on defense, Campbell rimmed out a clean look at three to extend the lead to seven. Hodzic proceeded to steal the ball on the subsequent rebound and score for Lipscomb as the score went back to two, 69-67, with 2:49 remaining.
Following a timeout, Campbell drove the lane, but his contested layin rimmed off. However, as Belcher and Lipscomb's Brian Wright fought for the rebound, the ball bounced off Wright's arm and into the basket. The Bruins led 71-67 with 2:14 left.
After such a hustle play and fortuitous bounce, it appeared it might be the Bruins' night. But amazingly, that would prove to be Belmont's final field goal of the game.
Following a Lipscomb timeout, Hodzic got deep position on Hedgepeth and scored a tough interior basket to make the score 71-69 with 2:02 remaining.
Belmont worked the next offensive possession late into the shot clock before Clark drove the lane and lost the handle. As he fought to regather the ball, he was called for a loose ball foul on Hodzic.
With the Bisons in the double bonus, Hodzic sank both free throws to tie the game at 71 with 1:26 left.
Hanlen would miss a short wing jumpshot on Belmont's next possession, giving Lipscomb the chance to take its first lead since the early moments of the second half.
After receiving a pass under the goal from a driving teammate, Hodzic was rejected at the rim by Campbell but a body foul was called.
Hodzic proceeded to make one free throw to give the Bisons a 72-71 lead with 49 seconds left.
The Bruins then freed Clark for a nice three-point look in front of the Bruin bench, but his shot narrowly rimmed out and Lipscomb's Jacob Arnett was fouled on the rebound.
Like Slater and Hodzic before, Arnett sank both free throws to extend the Bisons' lead to three with 28 seconds left.
Strangely on the inbounds pass, Brian Wright fouled Hanlen, giving Belmont a chance to score with the clock stopped.
Hanlen sank the first of one-and-one free throws, but missed the second. Freshman Brandon Baker (Milford, Ohio) claimed a clutch offensive rebound to give the Bruins another opportunity to tie or take the lead.
But after Baker passed the ball back outside, Hanlen mysteriously took a wing three-pointer before the Bruins looked to run set offense. His shot rimmed off and Lipscomb gathered the rebound.
Arnett and Hodzic each made two free throws in the final seconds to provide the final margin.
It was a painful result for the Bruins who led much of the way and played some of their best team basketball of the season.
All told, Belmont shot 45 percent (29-for-64) from the field - including 12-for-33 from three-point territory. Belmont had 20 assists on its 29 field goals and grabbed 11 offensive rebounds.
Moreover, the Bruins forced 17 Lipscomb turnovers and held the conference's leading three-point shooter, Jordan Burgason, to one made field goal.
Clark led Belmont with 18 points. Belcher added 17 points and six rebounds. Campbell had eight points, six rebounds and four assists.
Slater scored 26 points. Hodzic added 25 points and 12 rebounds.
Lipscomb (10-10, 7-4 Atlantic Sun) went a season-best 26-for-28 from the free throw line. Belmont went 2-for-6 from the charity stripe.
Belmont (11-10, 6-5 Atlantic Sun) returns to action Saturday, Jan. 30 at Campbell. Tip-off is set for 2:15 pm CT.
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.
