Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - In front of a boisterous home crowd, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Tennessee State, 78-66, Saturday night.
In a contest that featured the remaining two undefeated teams in OVC play, Belmont and Tennessee State gave Nashville basketball fans a spirited and entertaining game.
As has been the case in recent games, Belmont got off to a remarkable start. A driving layin from senior Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Tenn.) and four points from junior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) pushed the Bruins to a 7-2 lead three and a half minutes in.
After the Tigers got a short jumper from M.J. Rhett at the 18:41 mark, Tennessee State went cold; laboring against sound, united Belmont defense.
With ball pressure, secondary help and solid rebounding, Belmont held Tennessee State without a field goal for nearly 10 minutes, enabling the Bruins to build a working margin.
Sophomore Chad Lang (Marietta, Ga.) provided a lift off the bench, as in succession he provided a layin and blocked shot that led to a runout by senior Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) and a 13-3 lead with 12:27 left in the half.
Five more points from Clark increased the lead to 22-3 with 9:09 left in the half.
Though it may sound crazy, the Bruins had orchestrated a healthy lead without lights-out shooting; as several promising scoring chances inside and outside went by the boards and kept the margin from being even greater.
Rhett scored inside moments later to end the Tigers' dry spell, but five more Clark points and a baseline three-pointer from senior Brandon Baker (Milford, Ohio) extended the lead to 30-7 with 5:31 left in the half.
But to their credit, the Tigers maintained their poise and methodically worked back into the game. A trio of three-pointers from Jordan Cyphers in a three minute span got Tennessee State within 32-20 with 1:57 left in the half.
A Johnson layin gave Belmont a 35-22 lead at halftime.
Belmont shot 39 percent (13-for-33) from the field in the opening 20 minutes – including 3-for-11 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced nine Tennessee State turnovers while holding the Tigers to 25 percent shooting.
After scuffling a bit offensively in the first half, both teams found a rhythm early in the second half.
Despite interior baskets from Jenkins and senior Trevor Noack (Keller, Texas), Tennessee State rode red-hot shooting at closed to 39-34 with 16:29 left on a Kellen Thornton three-pointer.
After Johnson replied with a three-pointer for Belmont, baskets by Jordan Gaither and Patrick Miller inched the Tigers to within 42-38 with 14:06 remaining.
But Belmont answered back with a determined 10-0 run. Four points from Clark, and three-pointer from Baker and sophomore Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) stretched the margin back to 54-40 with 9:49 left.
Two more three-pointers from Noack counterbalanced Tennessee State scores, keeping the margin at 15.
But strong rebounding and the shooting of Cyphers infused the Tigers with resolve for a final push. After three-pointers from Johnson and Chamberlain, and tip-in by Noack made the score 70-56, Tennessee State closed to within 72-64 on a banked three-pointer by Thornton with 2:01 left.
The Bruins exhibited poised and teamwork to secure the victory, handling Tennessee State pressure defense and making six of eight free throw attempts in the final 1:01.
All told, Belmont shot 44 percent (27-for-62) from the field – including 11-for-25 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced 16 Tennessee State turnovers, while committing only seven.
Clark led three Bruins in double figures with 22 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals. Johnson had 17 points and five assists, while Noack added 16.
Cyphers led Tennessee State (12-8, 6-1 OVC) with 23 points.
Belmont (15-4, 6-0 OVC) returns to action Thursday, Jan. 24 at Morehead State. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. 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 the OVC Digital Network. In-game updates will be provided via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTES: Belmont Basketball welcomed members of the Wounded Warrior Project as honored guests...The Bruins have won seven consecutive games against Tennessee State…Belmont has won 15 consecutive games at home, and 36 of its last 37 at the Curb Event Center…Clark has scored 106 points in his last four games…The two teams combined for 14 made three-point field goals in the second half…Belmont made five three-pointers in a 3:37 span of the second half…Patrick Miller nearly became the first visiting player to record at triple-double at the Curb Event Center, with eight points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists...Belmont had 24 points off 16 Tennessee State turnovers.
