Box Score MURRAY, Ky. -- The comeback kids strike again. The Belmont women's basketball team (10-8, 5-1 OVC) rallied from a 12-point deficit to pull off a win on the road at Murray State (9-7, 2-3 OVC) on Monday night. The Bruins battled for a 59-50 win to move to 5-1 in OVC action.
The Bruins opened the contest with a strong defensive effort, forcing a pair of turnovers on the first two Racer possessions. Senior Jordan Coleman (Orlando, Fla.) worked the lane to bury a jumper for the first points of the night and classmate Alyssa Visbeen (Franklin, Tenn.) followed shortly with one of her own. Murray State finally got into the contest and used a combination of short and long range baskets to take the lead, 13-8, by the 12:52 mark.
MSU went ice cold from the floor for over three minutes but the Bruins were only able to add three during the span as sophomore Katie Carroll (Lilburn, Ga.) drained a triple from the top of the arc to move the Bruins to within three, 16-13, two minutes later.
Murray State surged again growing its lead to six points, 19-13, before sophomore Adrienne Tarrence (Bowling Green, Ky.) hit a jumper from the right side of the lane. Suddenly, Torie Vaught (Maryville, Tenn.) got hot and knocked down a trey from the left side and followed with a jumper to move the Bruins to within one, 21-20, with 6:13 remaining on the clock. Despite good looks, BU was unable to overtake the Racers before the end of the half. However, Belmont's stringent defense kept the contest from getting out of control during an offensive dry spell that ticked into four minutes before another Tarrence jumper closed the gap to two points, 24-22, with 1:56 left. MSU held the final shot and took a 26-22 lead in the locker room.
Murray State opened the second half with an 8-0 run to go up 34-22 by the 17:19 mark, forcing the Bruin bench to burn a timeout to regroup. After not being sent to the charity stripe a single time in the first stanza, senior Katie Brooks (Maryville, Tenn.) and Jordyn Luffman (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) were sent on consecutive possessions to open up a 9-0 run for the Bruins. The run wrapped with a trey by Coleman and a backdoor tip-in by Carroll to cut the MSU lead to three, 34-31, with 15:57 left on the clock.
The Bruins fell silent again after recovering the ground but again their defense once again helped keep the game in check. Luffman was sent to the line, nailing both, snapping the five minute scoring drought and moving BU to within six, 39-33, with 10:34 remaining on the clock.
BU's stringent defense began to wear down the Racers and a series of frustration fouls sent the Bruins into the double bonus three minutes later. Carroll and Visbeen were sent to the stripe consecutively, hitting all four to knot the game at 43 with 6:29 left on the clock. The frustration fouls continued and Luffman was sent to the line, hitting both to give the Bruins the first lead since the early minutes of the contest, 45-43.
With the lead in hand, Belmont began using great clock management in the waning minutes to remain on top. By the 3:48 mark, BU had expanded its lead to six, 51-45. Mariah Robinson attempted to spark her teammates with a three pointer but that would be the last time the Racers would score from the floor for the night. The Bruins cruised to the 59-50 win, closing the game with eight consecutive free throws and a jumper.
Murray State shot 25.4 percent from the floor, 19 percent from three-point range and 69.6 percent from the free-throw line. The Racers held the advantage in steals, 8-2.
MSU was led in scoring by Erika Sisk, who scored a game-high 14 points. Tessa Elkins added 10 points. Jessica Winfrey and Kelsey Dirks pulled down seven rebounds apiece.
Belmont shot 34.6 percent from the hardwood, 23.1 percent from behind the three-point arc and a blistering 90.9 percent from the charity stripe. The Bruins held the advantage in rebounds, 42-41, and blocks, 7-4. The teams were even in assists with seven each.
Carroll led the Bruins with 13 points. Also reaching double digits were Brooks and Visbeen each adding 10. Luffman pulled down a team and season-high 10 rebounds. Coleman, Brooks, and Vaught each recorded two blocks.
Belmont returns to action on Saturday at the Curb Event Center. The Bruins host cross-town rival Tennessee State in an OVC dual. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m. The game can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network and heard live via the internet on the Bruins Sports Network. Live stats and a live Twitter feed (@BelmontWBB) will also be available.
