Box Score BUIES CREEK, N.C. - - Behind strong defense late and the red-hot shooting of sophomore Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.), Belmont men's basketball defeated Campbell, 78-57, Saturday.
As has so often been the case this season, the Bruins came ready to play right from the opening tip. A baseline three-pointer from junior Drew Hanlen (St. Louis, Mo.), five points from Clark, and a layin from senior Jon House (Guelph, Ont., Canada) staked Belmont to a 10-0 lead 2:11 into the game.
The Camels answered, tying the score at 12 on a 17-footer from Keishawn Mayes.
After another three-pointer from Hanlen and a layin from junior Scott Saunders (New Orleans, La.), Mayes would again cap a Campbell mini run to tie the score at 19 with 8:20 left in the first half.
Belmont was efficient and scoring successfully early, however, periodic turnovers hindered offensive momentum.
Nonetheless, Hanlen continued his fine shooting stretch, sinking two more shots from behind the arc to give Belmont a 29-21 lead with 5:18 left in the half.
A short jumper from Amir Celestin got Campbell within 33-30, before four Bruin free throws and a three-pointer from senior Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.) pushed the lead to 40-30.
Marvelle Harris scored inside on the Camels' final possession to make the score 40-32 at halftime.
Belmont shot 64 percent (14-for-22) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 6-for-10 from three-point distance.
Campbell scored three baskets in the first 1:06 of the second half, but junior Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) had four points of his own to counter for Belmont.
Another Jordan Campbell three-pointer pushed the Bruin lead to eight, 47-39, with 16:21 to go, but the Camels would reply with five unanswered points.
Much of the second half would be marked by ragged, physical play and tremendous interior defense on both ends. The two teams would combine for 16 blocked shots on the game, as easy shots at the rim would prove hard to come by.
A 12-footer from Junard Hartley inched the Camels within 48-46 with 12:19 remaining.
Despite missing 17 of its first 19 shots of the second half, Belmont remained poised, relied on its defense, and methodically turned things around.
Free throws from Saunders and sophomore Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) steadied the Bruins, before House delivered an acrobatic driving bank shot, a steal, and an assist to Clark for a coast-to-coast layin to give Belmont a 57-48 lead with 8:57 left.
Campbell would not go away, trimming the margin to 59-55 with 7:14 remaining on an Eric Griffin three-pointer.
That's when Clark and Bruin defense took over. A timely three-pointer from sophomore Brandon Baker (Milford, Ohio) pushed the lead to seven. After Preston Dodson got the Camels back within five with 5:12 left - which proved to be Campbell's final points of the game - freshman J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) made a wing three-pointer off a Johnson offensive rebound to put the Bruins up 65-57 with 4:59 left.
Over the next three-plus minutes, Clark would have a hand in all 12 Bruin points - two three-pointers, a tough left-handed driving layin, and two assists - making the score 77-57 with 1:49 left.
Hanlen made one free throw with 38 seconds left to cap the 19-2 Bruin run to close the game.
All told, Belmont shot 49 percent (26-for-53) from the field - including 11-for-23 from three-point distance. The Bruins handed out a season-high tying 21 assists on 26 made field goals. Belmont also forced 22 Campbell turnovers.
Clark led three Bruins in double figures with a season-high 21 points. Hanlen added 13 points, while Saunders had 11 points and a career-high tying four blocked shots.
Griffin had 17 points for Campbell (11-15, 5-11 Atlantic Sun).
Belmont (23-4, 15-1 Atlantic Sun) returns to action Thursday, Feb. 17 against ETSU. Tip-off is set for 7pm 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.
