Box Score MACON, Ga. - - Behind strong team defense, exceptional point guard play and balanced scoring, Belmont men's basketball defeated Mercer, 75-64, Thursday night.
A three-pointer from sophomore Brandon Baker (Milford, Ohio) and a layin from senior Jon House (Guelph, Ont., Canada) gave the Bruins a 5-0 lead two minutes in. Mercer went scoreless the first 3:38 of the game, before Mark Hall made a baseline three-pointer.
Both teams would settle into a physical, seesaw affair, with seven ties in the first half alone. A baseline slam dunk from freshman Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) and two more House layins gave Belmont a 20-18 lead with 10:16 left in the first half.
Belmont continued to play its trademark aggressive defense, but periodic overzealousness led to foul trouble. Sophomores Trevor Noack (Keller, Texas), Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) and Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) spent much of the first half on the bench nursing two fouls each.
After Justin Cecil tied the score at 20, Baker, Johnson and freshman J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) each scored inside to push the Bruins to a 26-20 lead with 6:58 left in the half.
The nice end-of-half run continued, as a layin from junior Scott Saunders (New Orleans, La.) and two Johnson free throws extended the edge to 11, 39-28, with 1:53 left in the half.
But baskets from Brian Mills and Langston Hall trimmed the margin to 39-32 at halftime.
Belmont shot 41 percent (14-for-34) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 6-for-17 from three-point distance. Senior Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.) led the Bruins with 10 first half points.
Three quick field goals from junior Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) early in the second half propelled Belmont to a 45-34 lead with 17:37 to go.
Mercer closed within 45-38 on a Bud Thomas offensive rebound basket, before Bruin pressure defense, shooting, and depth made its mark once again.
Three-pointers from Mann, Johnson and Noack highlighted a 13-0 Belmont run over a 3:21 span as the lead grew to 58-38 midway through the second half.
An acrobatic reverse layin from Mann in transition gave Belmont its largest lead, 64-40, with 7:28 remaining.
All told, Belmont shot 40 percent (27-for-67) from the field - including 9-for-28 from three-point distance. The Bruins outrebounded Mercer, 40-38, while forcing 15 turnovers.
Johnson led three Bruins in double figures with 12 points. Hedgepeth and Campbell each scored 10. Clark scored nine points, while Noack and Mann each contributed seven.
Junior Drew Hanlen (St. Louis, Mo.) tied a career-high with eight assists, while committing zero turnovers.
11 Bruins scored on the night.
Brian Mills led Mercer (13-17, 10-9 Atlantic Sun) with 15 points.
With the victory, Belmont sets a new NCAA era standard for victories in a season.
Belmont (26-4, 18-1 Atlantic Sun) returns to action Saturday, Feb. 26 at Kennesaw State. Tip-off is set for 6:30pm CT.
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.
