Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Belmont women's basketball team (6-7, 1-0 OVC) used a stifling defense in the second half to defeat SIU Edwardsville (6-7, 0-1 OVC) on Saturday afternoon at the Curb Event Center. The Bruins knocked off their first-time opponent, 66-52, to clench their first OVC victory.
The Bruins jumped out to an early 5-0 lead behind a jumper by senior Katie Brooks (Maryville, Tenn.) and a three pointer from the left side of the arc by classmate Alyssa Visbeen (Franklin, Tenn.) as SIUE remained ice cold for nearly the first four minutes of play, going 0-6 from the floor before scoring at the 16:18 mark. BU kept rolling, gaining a burst of momentum with a pair of shots from redshirt sophomore Jordyn Luffman (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) and jumpers in the lane from Brooks to go up 13-6 by the 12:41 mark.
The Cougars quickly put together rally and hustled to trim BU's lead to three, 19-16, four minutes later. However, the Bruins stormed back behind a completed three-point play by reigning OVC Newcomer of the Week Jordan Coleman (Orlando, Fla.) and her layup on the next possession to maintain an eight-point advantage, 24-16.
SIUE kept threatening BU's lead and by the three minute mark had made it one point game, 28-27. The Cougars continued working and went on to grab the lead as Belmont suddenly went frigid from the floor. SIUE went on to close the half with a 9-0 run as the Bruins remained silent from the hardwood for the final 4:43 of the half to help them take a 31-28 lead into the locker room.
When the teams returned to the floor after the break, BU was first to strike with Visbeen sending in a great pass in to Coleman for a tip-in to move the team within one, 31-30, in the first 30 seconds of action. SIUE surged again and built a six point lead, 36-30, but the Bruins kept fighting. Suddenly, Belmont was within striking distance, 40-38, with just under 14 minutes left in regulation after Brooks netted the team's second triple of the afternoon. On the next possession, Coleman was fouled driving the lane and went on to hit the front of the pair at the stripe to again make it a one-point game, 40-39, with 13:30 on the clock.
Luffman drove for a lay-up to open up a 6-0 run for the Bruins, capped by a steal and fast break layup by sophomore Adrienne Tarrence (Bowling Green, Ky.) that put them on top, 47-42, forcing the SIUE bench to burn a timeout to try to stop the hot streak. The brief stoppage worked as SIUE was able to hustle to regain the lead, 49-47, by the six and a half minute mark.
BU struggled to break a scoring drought that ticked over three minutes when Luffman knocked down her first three pointer as a Bruin to give Belmont the lead what would turn out for the remainder of the contest. Sparked by Luffman's trey, BU put together an 18-0 run, aided by being in the double bonus. All told, Belmont closed the half going 11-of-12 at the charity stripe.
What began as a scoring drought became evidence of a stringent defensive effort by BU that held SIUE scoreless for nearly six minutes before Jessie Wendt hit a jumper with 59.7 ticks left on the clock but by then Belmont was up, 65-51. Each team was able to add a point from the free-throw line in the final four seconds as BU cruised to the 66-52 victory over its first-time opponent.
SIUE shot 32.3 percent from the floor, an icy 16.7 percent from three-point range and 75 percent from the free-throw line. The Cougars held the advantage in rebounds, 39-35, and steals, 8-6.
SIU Edwardsville was led in scoring by CoCo Moore, who scored 17 points. Raven Berry added 14 points in the effort while Michaela Herrod pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds.
Belmont shot 48 percent from the hardwood, 20 percent from behind the three-point arc and 71.4 percent from the charity stripe. The Bruins held the advantage in assists, 15-6, and blocks, 4-2. BU also forced 16 SIUE turnovers.
Brooks netted a career-high 22 points to lead BU. Coleman picked up her fourth double-double of the season with 14 points and a team-high 11 rebounds and Luffman added a season-high 13 points. Visbeen finished with a game-high two blocks.
Belmont returns to action on Monday at the Curb Event Center. The Bruins host Southeast Missouri State beginning at 2 p.m. in a New Year's Eve tilt. The matchup can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network and heard live via the internet on the Bruins Sports Network. Live stats and a Twitter feed (@BelmontWBB) will also be available.
