Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Behind another impressive and complete first half, Belmont men's basketball defeated Tennessee State, 87-72, Monday evening.
In search of a fourth consecutive victory away from home, the Bruins shook off a slow start to seize control. After two Tiger baskets, junior Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) scored on the offensive glass to get Belmont on the board with 17:50 left in the half.
Moments later, sophomore Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) buried a wing three-pointer to give the Bruins a 5-4 lead, one they would not relinquish the remainder of the game.
Freshman J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) continued his fine play, providing 10 quick points off the bench to increase the Bruin lead to 17-8 with 12:05 left in the half.
Solid halfcourt team defense and balanced production from junior Scott Saunders (New Orleans, La.) and freshman Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) keyed a 22-6 run that stretched the Belmont edge to 42-17.
Right before halftime, senior Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.) chased down his own missed shot and fed Saunders for a baseline teardrop that gave the Bruins a 49-23 halftime advantage.
All told, Belmont shot 52 percent (15-for-29) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 7-for-17 from three-point distance. The Bruins outrebounded Tennessee State, 16-11, and forced 11 Tiger turnovers.
In the second half, Belmont was forced to keep its poise, as the Tigers assumed a new level of energy and aggressiveness on both ends of the floor. After sophomore Trevor Noack (Keller, Texas) gave Belmont a 52-27 lead, Tennessee State scored 11 unanswered points to trim the margin to 14.
Following a timeout from head coach Rick Byrd, the Bruins rode solid interior play from Hedgepeth to push the lead back to 61-38 with 14:50 left.
The seesaw second half continued, as a wing three-pointer from Kenny Moore inched the Tigers within 63-51 with 9:36 remaining. But again, a Hedgepeth conventional three-point play stemmed the tide.
After Will Peters hit a layin to make the score 66-55, solid play from Johnson and Saunders sparked a 10-0 Bruin spurt that reasserted a 21-point lead, 76-55, with 5:51 remaining.
Both teams were outstanding from the free throw line, and the Tigers used the charity stripe and Robert Covington three-pointers to again claw within 11 points with 2:25 left.
But the Bruins used strong ball handling and free throw shooting to close out the game.
For the game, Belmont shot 51 percent (25-for-49) from the field - including 11-for-26 from three-point distance. Belmont outrebounded Tennessee State, 32-23. The Bruins went 26-for-27 from the free throw line.
Hedgepeth paced four Bruins in double figures with a season-high 15 points and eight rebounds. Saunders added 14 points, while Mann poured in 13 and Johnson 11.
Covington led Tennessee State (1-5) with 18 points.
Belmont (4-1) returns to action Thursday, Dec. 2 against Mercer in the season home opener. Tip-off is set for 7:15 pm CT from the Curb Event Center.
The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network.
