Box Score TROY, Ala. - - Belmont men's basketball forced 18 first half turnovers and shot 55 percent for the game in defeating Troy, 98-63, Saturday morning.
An early wake-up call and an 11am CT tip to accommodate the Trojans' appearance in the New Orleans Bowl Saturday night did not faze Belmont.
After two quick three-pointers from Shawntez Patterson gave Troy an 8-5 lead two and a half minutes in, the Bruins used solid halfcourt defense and unselfish play to fuel a decisive first half run; one that has become customary during the early season.
Seven early points from junior Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) and consecutive three-pointers from senior Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.) and sophomore Trevor Noack (Keller, Texas) increased the lead to 22-11 with 11:34 left in the half.
But things had only just begun. A flurry of Troy turnovers initiated Bruin fast breaks, with repeated conversions at the rim or behind the arc.
Two straight three-pointers from Campbell and a baseline trey from freshman J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) brought the Bruin bench to its feet and sent Troy back to the drawing board.
When the dust settled, Belmont had gone on a 33-5 run over an 11 minute stretch, to lead 38-13 with 6:51 left in the half.
Patterson and Vernon Taylor fought to keep the Trojans in it, but more tough, unified Bruin defense forced Troy miscues or contested shots.
A leaner from sophomore Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) and two free throws from senior Jon House (Guelph, Ont., Canada) helped send the Bruins to the locker room with a 51-25 lead.
Belmont limited Troy to 28 percent shooting in the opening 20 minutes, while forcing 18 turnovers.
Campbell, Clark and Hedgepeth each had nine first half points.
The Bruins exhibited poise and patience in the second half, using more crisp passing and sound decision-making to get clean shots from all angles.
Each time Troy attempted to inch closer or push the tempo, Belmont answered with a transition layin or three-pointer.
Troy got within 84-62 on a three-pointer from Will Weathers, before the Bruins closed the game on a 14-1 run.
For the game, Belmont shot 55 percent (36-for-66) from the field - including 12-for-26 from three-point distance. The Bruins outrebounded Troy 38-31.
Campbell led five Bruins in double figures with 15 points. Clark and Saunders each scored 13 points, while Hedgepeth and Mann each added 10.
Patterson scored 24 points for Troy (1-9).
Belmont (8-2, 2-0 Atlantic Sun) returns to action Monday, Dec. 20 at Alabama State. Tip-off is set for 6pm CT, with the live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram on the Bruin Sports Network.
