Box Score TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- The Belmont women's basketball team (2-4) was unable to rebound from an early point deficit and fell on the road at Indiana State (3-2) on Sunday afternoon. The Sycamores held off the scrappy Bruins who battled back from 17 points down, 48-34.
BU got on the board first behind a jumper in the lane by senior Katie Brooks (Maryville, Tenn.) and newcomer Jordan Coleman (Orlando, Fla.) followed with one from the left elbow. ISU was frigid in the opening minutes only recording one field goal in the first five minutes before Anna Munn hit back-to-back triples to put the Sycamores on top, 6-4, six minutes into the half. A lay-in by Coleman fed by sophomore Katie Carroll (Lilburn, Ga.) knotted the score at six less than a minute but both teams struggled offensively, shooting less than 25 percent from the floor through the midpoint of the stanza.
Another trey by Munn and a pair of jumpers by Marina Laramie helped Indiana State pull away, 13-6, before a skyhook by Coleman snapped BU's scoring drought that had tipped into nearly seven minutes. Indiana State put together a 7-0 run on to take a 20-8 lead with just over four minutes left before the break.
ISU's run eventually went to 12-0 before sophomore Adrienne Tarrence (Bowling Green, Ky.) knocked down a crucial pair at the charity stripe to finally push the Bruins into double digits and cut the Sycamore lead to 15, 25-10, with 2:17 on the clock. The Sycamores found the bottom of the net once more but the final points of the half came from Coleman as she completed a three-point play in the final 90 seconds to move BU within 14, 27-13, as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
Belmont opened the second half with a strong defensive effort that saw ISU run out the shot clock before Brooks came up with a steal and netted a spin around layup for her first points of the half. The Bruins continued to take advantage of the sudden momentum switch with senior Alyssa Visbeen (Franklin, Tenn.) netting her first points of the half from a tip-in.
After shooting so well in the first stanza, the Sycamores were icy in the second, shooting 10 percent from the floor by the 11 minute mark. The Bruins kept surging and trimmed the ISU lead down to 11, 34-23, by the 9:11 mark. BU hung around in striking distance for the next four minutes before ISU made its final push. Belmont never gave up, firing constantly in the waning minutes. Even with the assistance of being in the double bonus for the first time this season, the Bruins were unable to make a big move to close the gap for good. Munn netted her sixth triple of the day with 58 ticks remaining but Coleman hit the second of a pair at the line as Belmont fell, 48-34.
Indiana State shot 34.9 percent from the floor, 50 percent from three-point range and 50 percent from the free-throw line. The Sycamores held the advantage in rebounds, 37-35, assists, 11-7, and steals, 10-7.
ISU was led in scoring by Munn's 19 points. Marina Laramie also reached double digits, contributing 13. Laramie and Jessica Valley led the team in rebounds with seven each.
Belmont shot 26.5 percent from the hardwood and 72.7 percent from the charity stripe. For only the second time since the 1998-99 season, the Bruins did not hit a single three pointer. BU held the advantage in blocks, 3-1.
Coleman notched her second consecutive double-double with 13 points and a season and game-high 15 rebounds in a season-high 38 minutes on the hardwood. Brooks also reached double figures, adding 10 points. Visbeen and freshman Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.) each pulled down five rebounds. Tarrence extended her streak at the charity stripe to 12 after going 2-for-2.
Belmont returns to action on Tuesday evening at the Curb Event Center. The Bruins host first-time opponent IUPUI beginning at 5 p.m. The matchup can be heard live via the internet on the Bruins Sports Network and seen live on the OVC Digital Network. Live stats and a Twitter feed (@BelmontWBB) will also be available.
