Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind a program record tying 18 steals and a Curb Event Center record 29 turnovers forced, Belmont men's basketball defeated Florida Gulf Coast, 89-56, Friday night.
The Bruins and Eagles were both efficient offensively early, with four ties marking the opening four minutes. But after two Tim Snyder free throws tied the score at eight, the Bruins used an 18-0 run to seize control.
Two interior baskets from junior Scott Saunders (New Orleans, La.) and three points from freshman Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) got the spurt started. And as Eagle turnovers mounted, Bruin three-point shooting heated up.
Consecutive three-pointers from senior Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.), sophomore Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) and junior Drew Hanlen (St. Louis, Mo.) pushed the lead to 24-8 with 12:26 left in the half.
Junior Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) capped the run with a layin off a Hanlen feed.
Hunter Miller ended the 5:28 scoring drought for Florida Gulf Coast with a putback basket.
Twice more the Bruin lead would swell back to 18 - on baskets from freshman J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) and sophomore Trevor Noack (Keller, Texas). But just as Belmont appeared on the verge of building a virtually insurmountable lead by halftime, FGCU inched closer behind the play of Anthony Banks and Christophe Varidel.
Five Varidel points to close the half gave Belmont a 42-32 lead at halftime.
Belmont shot 50 percent (15-for-30) in the opening 20 minutes - including 5-for-10 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced 14 FGCU turnovers in the first half.
More swarming defense from the Bruins sparked a decisive run to open the second half. After a Banks dunk, senior Jon House (Guelph, Ont., Canada) and Mann replied with transition baskets.
Then sophomore Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) proved to be the primary beneficiary of Belmont's defensive effort, scoring 11 points in a 90 second stretch to cap the Bruins 24-4 run out of the locker room.
The Bruins led 66-36 with 12:18 left.
Saunders' rebounding, the hustle plays of sophomore Brandon Baker (Milford, Ohio), and more solid defense carried Belmont to victory.
All told, Belmont shot 48 percent (30-for-63) from the field - including 11-for-30 from three-point distance. Five Bruins tallied multiple steals, led by Baker's four.
Saunders led three Bruins in double figures with 16 points. He added nine rebounds and two steals. Clark scored 15 points, while Campbell added 12 points and a career-high tying seven assists.
All 12 Bruins who suited up played, with 10 Bruins scoring.
Varidel led FGCU (5-14, 2-8 Atlantic Sun) with 15 points.
Belmont (19-4, 11-1 Atlantic Sun) returns to action Sunday against Stetson. Tip-off is set for 2pm 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 and 104.5 The Zone. Live video streaming will be available via ASun.TV.
