Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball defeated Lipscomb, 94-64, Wednesday night to extend its NCAA-best home court win streak to 22 games.
Following Sunday's stirring victory at nationally-ranked and six-time National Champion North Carolina, the Bruins received a warm welcome in front of a boisterous home crowd.
North Carolina game hero J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.), in particular, was greeted with a load ovation as he was introduced during starting lineups.
The Bruins came out focused and purposeful, and would never trail.
A three-pointer from senior Drew Windler (South Milwaukee, Wisc.) and five quick points from sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) pushed Belmont to an 8-0 lead 2:20 in.
Belmont also got significant bench contributions in short order, as a basket from junior Chad Lang (Marietta, Ga.) and a deep three-pointer from freshman Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.) increased the lead to 15-6 five minutes in.
Strong play from freshman Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) and a baseline three-pointer from Mann stretched the margin to 29-16 midway through the first half.
Lipscomb head coach and former Bruin player and assistant Casey Alexander called two timeouts in the opening 13 minutes.
After the Bisons closed to within 40-26 on a Malcolm Smith three-point play, Belmont ended the half on a 7-0 run.
A steal and layin from Mann sent Belmont to the locker room up 21, 47-26.
Belmont shot 58 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes, while holding the Bisons to 31 percent shooting in the first half.
Bradds led Belmont with 13 points and six rebounds at halftime.
Nine points from Bradshaw in the first four minutes of the second half stretch the lead to 58-36 with 15:14 remaining.
The Bruins remained disciplined and sound throughout the final 10 minutes, staying efficient with nine different scorers and strong on the backboards with a plus-nine differential.
All told, Belmont shot 57 percent (35-for-62) from the field - including 10-for-27 from three-point distance.
Belmont outrebounded Lipscomb, 44-33, and held the Bisons to 34 percent shooting.
Bradds led five Bruins in double figures with a career-high 19 points and eight rebounds. Mann had 17 points and three steals, while Bradshaw chipped in a career-high 16.
Windler tallied his fifth straight double figure game with 13 points, and Smith added 10.
J.C. Hampton led Lipscomb (2-3) with 16 points.
Belmont returns to action Saturday, Nov. 23 against Holy Cross in the Springfield Bracket of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT from the Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, Conn.
The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network, with live video streaming available via The Basketball Channel. In-game updates will be provided via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTES: Belmont has won 22 consecutive home games, the longest active home court win streak in the nation ... The Bruins have also won 43 of their last 44 home games ... Belmont has won five consecutive games against Lipscomb ... Bradds, Bradshaw, and Smith all tallied career-highs ... Belmont outscored Lipscomb in the paint, 48-28 ... Belmont led bench scoring, 38-14 ... Former Bruin greats Drew Hanlen and Mick Hedgepeth were among those in attendance.
