NASHVILLE, TENN. - - Freshman Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) scored a career-high 31 points as Belmont men's basketball defeated Stetson Monday night, 85-71.
The Bruins came out of the gates quickly, determined to snap a rare losing streak - their longest since 2005. Five points from sophomore Scott Saunders (New Orleans, La.) powered Belmont to an 8-3 lead three and a half minutes in.
But a quick 7-0 spurt led by A.J. Smith put Stetson ahead 10-8 with 15:05 left in the half. Moreover, Saunders and fellow post player Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) each received two personal fouls in the first five minutes, handcuffing the Bruin inside attack.
Following a timeout and an impassioned talk from head coach Rick Byrd, the Bruins responded on both ends of the floor. Solid scoring from Clark, and nice bench production from freshman Trevor Noack (Keller, Texas) and senior Keaton Belcher (Butler, Ky.) pushed Belmont to a 22-14 lead.
Then following a Tyshawn Patterson jumpshot, the Bruins ripped off a 24-2 run over the next nine minutes to take command. Belmont got 14 consecutive defensive stops during the spurt, in taking a 46-20 lead at halftime.
The Bruins shot 53 percent (18-for-34) from the field in the opening 20 minutes. Moreover, Belmont outrebounded Stetson 26-15 and the Bruins committed just three first half turnovers.
Another Clark triple to open the second half stretched the lead to 49-22, before Stetson caught fire. Brandon Williams and Joel Naburgs each made two treys in the first six minutes of the second half as the Hatters inched within 14, 55-41, with 13:53 left.
And much like the first half, Saunders and Hedgepeth found themselves in severe foul trouble, each picking up their respective third and fourth personal fouls before the 13:00 mark.
After Clark once again stemmed Stetson momentum with a straight-on three, the Hatters pushed onward with revitalized, full court defense.
Leading 60-45, the Bruins committed five straight turnovers, giving Stetson open court opportunities. An A.J. Smith layin trimmed the margin to just five, 60-55, with 7:07 left.
As a stunned Curb Event Center crowd looked on, the Bruins regrouped and regained control. A determined baseline slam from junior Jon House (Guelph, Ont., Canada) bumped the lead back to seven, before baskets from Hedgepeth and Clark made the score 66-55 with 5:06 remaining.
Stetson got as close as seven, 67-60, on a Williams trey, but the Bruins went 23-for-28 from the free throw line in the second half to secure the victory.
All told, Belmont shot 50 percent (25-for-50) from the field and a season-high 28-for-40 from the free throw line.
Aside from Clark's 31, Saunders added 17 points and six rebounds. Junior Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.) added six points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
Smith led Stetson (3-9, 1-3 Atlantic Sun) with 20 points.
Belmont (8-6, 3-1 Atlantic Sun) returns to action Thursday against USC Upstate. Tip-off is set for 4:15 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.
