UNCASVILLE, Conn. - - Behind a strong second half, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Hofstra, 85-75, Sunday night to win the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tipoff Tournament Championship.
After a teardop from sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) gave Belmont an early 2-1 lead, Hofstra scored 11 straight points to take an early 12-2 lead.
After three-pointers from Bradshaw and senior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) stabilized things somewhat, the Bruins and Pride exchanged offensive haymakers in arguably the most entertaining half of play in the entire tournament.
Consecutive three-pointers from senior Drew Windler (South Milwaukee, Wisc.) closed Belmont within 24-18 with 11:33 left in the half, but Hofstra had a reply.
Zeke Upshaw continued a blistering pace, burying deep, contested shots to push Hofstra back to a double figure lead.
Huge lifts off the bench from freshmen Caleb Chowbay (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) and Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) narrowed the gap. And when Bradshaw punctuated a seven point scoring flurry with a steal and slam, Belmont got within 38-36 with 4:13 left in the half.
Stephen Nwaukoni pushed the Pride back up eight, before Belmont got another three-pointer from Chowbay and two Windler free throws to get within 46-43 at halftime.
All things considered, Belmont had weathered the early Hofstra storm. The Bruins shot 46 percent (17-for-37) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 7-for-15 from three-point distance.
And while the Pride shot 58 percent, Belmont committed only three first half turnovers.
Another deep Upshaw three-pointer to open the second half was not exactly what Belmont had in mind, but systematically the Bruins gained command.
A steal and layin from Mann ignited a timely 14-0 Belmont run that gave the Bruins their first lead since 2-1. Bradshaw and Chowbay highlighted the spurt with consecutive baseline three-pointers to push Belmont to a 61-55 edge with 13:03 left.
Seven straight points from Mann staved off another Hofstra push midway through the half.
An offensive rebound tip-in from Bradshaw and two Bradds free throws extended Belmont's lead to 76-67 with 5:50 left.
As Belmont's defense tightened, the lead could have even been more were it not for some unfortunate, head-scratching interior rim outs from Windler and senior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.).
One Jamall Robinson free throw got Hofstra within 76-75 with 3:05 left, before Windler made two free throws to increase the margin back to three.
After an exchange of defensive stops, Chowbay fed Bradshaw for a clutch three-pointer with 1:27 remaining to give Belmont an 81-75 lead.
The Bruins finished off the defensive stand down the stretch, holding Hofstra without a field goal the final 4:16.
All told, Belmont shot 44 percent (30-for-69) from the field - including 12-for-27 from three-point distance. The Bruins grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, while holding the Pride to 36 percent second half shooting and forcing 11 second half turnovers.
Bradshaw led three Bruins in double figures with a career-high 24 points, five assists and three rebounds. Mann added 22 points and five steals, while Windler scored 12.
Upshaw led Hofstra (2-4) with 25 points.
Belmont (6-1) returns to action Tuesday, Nov. 26 vs. Brescia. 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 OVC Digital Network. In-game updates will be provided via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTES: Bradshaw has recorded new career-highs in scoring in each of the last four games ... Belmont is now 15-1 in its last 16 neutral court games against non-BCS competition dating back to the 2009-10 season ... The Bruins recorded 10 steals.
