UNCASVILLE, Conn. - - Belmont University men's basketball defeated Holy Cross, 81-70, Saturday night in the Springfield Bracket of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-off Tournament.
After Holy Cross grabbed an early 4-0 lead, senior Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) capped a 9-0 Bruin response to put Belmont ahead by five. Sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.), who scored a career-high 16 points in the Bruins' Nov. 20 victory over Lipscomb, continued his assertive, confident play with three assists in the first four minutes.
The Crusaders closed to 15-13, before baskets from senior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.), senior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) and Bradshaw pushed the lead to 22-13 with 8:38 left in the half.
Belmont played tough, united defense, forcing Holy Cross into contested shots and turnovers. Meanwhile, more strong play from Bradshaw and two three-pointers from Chamberlain in the final 1:19 of the half - the latter of which beat the first half buzzer and sent Belmont to halftime leading 44-26.
Belmont shot 62 percent (18-for-29) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 6-for-11 from three-point distance. The Bruins limited Holy Cross to 33 percent shooting and held a plus-eight rebounding advantage.
Belmont remained locked in to open the second half, as seven points from freshman Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) and a three-pointer from senior Drew Windler (South Milwaukee, Wisc.) increased the lead to 61-39 with 13:53 remaining.
But sparked by the play of Anthony Thompson, Holy Cross caught fire and worked back into the game.
A layin from Malachi Alexander closed the Crusaders within 66-59 with 7:58 left.
But a stern reply from Bradshaw with four straight points pushed the Bruin lead back to 11.
The Crusaders got within seven on two more occasions, but Chamberlain and Mann would combine on the final nine Belmont points to secure the victory.
All told, the Bruins shot 57 percent (29-for-51) from the field for the game - including 9-for-17 from three-point distance. Belmont outrebounded Holy Cross, 30-23, while forcing 16 turnovers.
Bradshaw led four Bruins in double figures with a career-high 21 points. Chamberlain added 17, Mann scored 16, and Jenkins added 12 points and eight rebounds.
Cullen Hamilton led Holy Cross (2-3) with 16 points.
Belmont (5-1) returns to action Sunday against Hofstra. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. CT from Mohegan Sun Arena 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.
