Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont men's basketball rode strong defense and balanced scoring in defeating North Florida, 91-59, Saturday afternoon.
As he did in the Bruins' last home game Dec. 30 against Miami (OH), sophomore Trevor Noack (Keller, Texas) got Belmont off and running with a three-pointer on the team's first possession.
After junior Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) gave the Bruins a 10-7 lead four minutes in on a short jumper, sophomore Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) picked up his second personal foul and would be forced to the bench.
But, with the luxury of one of the country's deepest and most talented benches, the Bruins did not miss a beat. Though physcial and somewhat sloppy play characterized the action early, Belmont slowly built a working margin late in the first half.
Leading 23-20, four points from junior Scott Saunders (New Orleans, La.) highlighted an 8-0 Bruin run to increase the lead to 11, 31-20, with 5:54 left in the half.
Sophomore Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) teamed with freshman Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) and freshman J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) to keep the momentum going, as the lead swelled to 15 on consecutive Mann three-pointers.
After Johnson increased the lead to 44-27 late in the half, Jerron Granberry hit a three-pointer at the first half buzzer to trim the margin to 14 at the break.
Belmont shot 63 percent (15-for-24) from the field in the opening 20 minutes, while forcing 15 Osprey turnovers.
Five different Bruins scored in the first five minutes of the second half as Belmont methodically pulled away.
Turning defense into offense, sophomore Adam Barnes (Clarksville, Tenn.) capped a 13-2 Belmont run midway through the second half with a driving layin, making the score 69-38 with 10:32 left.
The Bruins kept the defensive pressure up and rebounding assignments sound down the stretch to secure the victory.
All told, Belmont shot 58 percent from the field - including 8-for-19 from three-point distance. Eight Bruins scored eight or more points. Belmont forced 24 North Florida turnovers, while outrebounding the visitors by seven, 29-22.
Saunders led five Bruins in double figures with 15 points. Clark added 11 points. Johnson had 10 points, six assists and three steals. Mann also chipped in 10 points with five assists. Jenkins recorded a new career-high of 10 points as well.
Campbell and Noack each scored nine.
Granberry led North Florida (5-10, 2-2 Atlantic Sun) with 18 points.
Belmont (13-3, 5-0 Atlantic Sun) returns to action Monday night against Jacksonville. Tip-off is set for 7:15pm 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. Live video streaming will be available via ASun.TV.
