Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind a strong second half push, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Lipscomb, 87-83, Friday night to open the 2013-14 season.
The 133rd meeting of the 'Battle of the Boulevard' took on added intrigue and mystery. In addition to the Bruins welcoming nine newcomers, the contest marked the Lipscomb head coaching debut for former Belmont standout player and longtime assistant coach Casey Alexander ('95).
After exchanging pleasantries throughout the week and prior to the game, Belmont head coach Rick Byrd and Alexander were all business as each tried to lead their programs to victory.
Senior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) punctuated an 11-2 Bruin scoring run to give Belmont a 20-10 lead nine minutes in.
And though Belmont worked its way into the bonus with 11:41 left in the first half, uncharacteristically poor free throw shooting stifled Bruin momentum.
A layin from junior Chad Lang (Marietta, Ga.) preserved a double digit lead before Khion Sankey and Malcolm Smith helped push the Bisons within 35-32 at halftime.
Belmont shot 40 percent (10-25) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including just 2-for-11 from three-point distance. But even of greater note - and consternation - the Bruins went just 13-for-23 from the free throw line in the first half.
Eight quick points from senior Drew Windler (South Milwaukee, Wisc.) got Belmont off and running in the second half. And a steal and reverse layin from senior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) made the score 47-42 with 15:16 left.
But moments later, Windler would pick up his fourth personal foul, sending his shooting touch and leadership to the sidelines.
That, coincided with strong Lipscomb play from J.C. Hampton and Carter Sanderson, flipped the script. A Martin Smith layin gave the Bisons a 59-51 lead with with 11:18 left.
With a partisan purple and gold crowd urging them on, Lipscomb was playing loose and confidently.
Yet undaunted, Belmont showed its poise and championship mettle to systematically work back into the game. A three-pointer from sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) sparked the turnaround.
And with Windler nursing fouls, freshman Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.) provided a nice lift with rebounds and four free throws, the last of which inched Belmont within 63-62 with nine minutes left.
Following a Malcolm Smith bucket, Windler capped a 7-0 Belmont run with a baseline three-pointer to make the score 69-65 Bruins with 7:15 left.
But the Bisons would not go away. A deep Hampton three-pointer and a Sankey tip-in got the hosts within 71-70 with 5:23 remaining.
The final stretch was highlighted by a flurry of outstanding individual efforts, and players from both teams rising to the occasion.
After one free throw from junior Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.), Lang delivered the biggest basket of his career, a short bank shot with 4:27 left to give the Bruins a 74-70 edge.
Sanderson would answer with a wing three-pointer for Lipscomb. And though the Bisons would briefly regain the lead at 77-76 on a Malcolm Smith layin, six consecutive points from Chamberlain put Belmont back ahead.
A twisting baseline jumper from Mann pushed the lead to 82-79 with 1:40 left.
But Martin Smith would reply with a three-pointer in front of the Bisons' bench to tie the score at 82 with 1:26 left.
Mann would sink two free throws with 1:10 left to put Belmont back on top by two.
On the subsequent Lipscomb possession, Chamberlain would steal the basketball from Hampton and call timeout with 1:01 remaining.
After working clock, Chamberlain missed a driving layin attempt with 38 seconds left and the Bisons secured the rebound.
Looking for a two to tie or three to take the lead, Sankey drove the lane and was whistled for a traveling violation as he elevated for a contested shot.
Belmont then freed freshman Caleb Chowbay (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) on the following inbounds pass, leading to a Lipscomb foul.
And though he played sporadically to that point, Chowbay calmly sank both free throws with 12 seconds left to extend the Belmont lead to four.
Sanderson would make one free throw with under eight seconds remaining to close Lipscomb within three, before Mann provided the final margin.
All told, Belmont shot 49 percent (24-for-49) from the field - including 6-for-22 from three-point distance. The Bruins shot 58 percent in the second half, overcoming 61 percent Lipscomb shooting after halftime.
Belmont went 33-for-52 from the free throw line - the 52 free throw attempts representing a new single-game record for the NCAA era.
The Bruins committed only 10 turnovers, while forcing 24.
Mann led five Bruins in double figures with 21 points. Windler scored 16 points in his Bruin debut, while Chamberlain added a career-high 14 points and three steals.
Bradshaw added 11 while Jenkins chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds.
10 Bruins scored.
Sanderson led Lipscomb (0-1) with 21 points.
Belmont (1-0) returns to action Monday, Nov. 11 at Richmond. 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 and the Bruins Mobile app.
