LEXINGTON, Ky. - - Belmont University men's basketball gave another traditional power everything it wanted, before falling, 93-80, at [19/21] Kentucky Saturday afternoon.
Five weeks separated from its memorable victory at nationally-ranked North Carolina, the Bruins once again played with their signature toughness and offensive execution.
Belmont had victories at two current SEC members (Missouri, Alabama), and despite nagging injuries to four of its top six players, the Bruins entered Rupp Arena poised and determined.
Hot early shooting from senior Drew Windler (South Milwaukee, Wisc.) sparked Belmont to a 6-2 lead.
After Aaron Harrison tied the score at 12, senior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) capped a 13-2 Belmont spurt to give the Bruins a 25-14 lead 11 minutes in.
Coupled with eight points off the bench from freshman Caleb Chowbay (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.), and Belmont led the eight-time National Champions throughout the first half.
Belmont welcomed back starting point guard Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.), who had missed the previous four games with a foot injury. Chamberlain's leadership and defensive intensity provided a nice lift.
In addition to efficient offense - the Bruins commited just three first half turnovers - Belmont more than held its own on the backboards in the opening 20 minutes.
After baskets from sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Franklin, Tenn.) and Mann gave Belmont a 41-32 lead, the Wildcats scored nine unanswered points. Two Windler free throws sent the Bruins to the locker room up two, 43-41.
Belmont shot 47 percent (17-for-36) in the opening 20 minutes - including 7-for-18 from three-point distance.
Even though strong play on the road is a great source of pride for the Bruin program, Kentucky entered having dropped only two home games - Baylor and Texas A&M - over the last five years, so the halftime score had to open some eyes.
Belmont maintained its lead into the second half before an Aaron Harrison layin put Kentucky up 50-48 with 15:29 left.
Bruin fouls quickly accumulated as well against the formidable Kentucky frontline, as the Wildcats found themselves in the bonus with 12:16 remaining.
Strong play from Bradshaw and freshman Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) kept Belmont well-positioned, but Kentucky rode strong interior play of Julius Randle to a working margin.
Seven straight points from Aaron Harrison pushed Kentucky to a 66-57 lead with 9:17 left.
Undeterred, Belmont kept within a two-three possession game, but three consecutive Bruin defensive deflections bounced right to Wildcat hands for scramble play scores.
Two Bradds free throws made it 70-65 with 7:13 left, before a conventional three-point play from Randle and an Andrew Harrison layin pushed the margin back to 10.
Kentucky went 26-for-36 from the free throw line.
Though the Wildcats had held seven of their previous 11 opponents to under 40 percent shooting, Belmont shot 47 percent (30-for-64) from the field - including 11-for-30 from three-point distance.
Bradshaw continued his fine play, leading three Bruins in double figures with 22 points. Windler added 21, while Bradds scored 12.
Randle led Kentucky (9-3) with 29 points.
Belmont (8-5) returns to action following Christmas Saturday, Dec. 28 at Indiana State. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET/Noon CT. The game will be broadcast live on MyTV30 in Nashville and ESPN3 out of market.
The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network and 104.5 The Zone. In-game updates will be provided on Twitter @BelmontMBB.
Postgame Quotes - Belmont head coach Rick Byrd
Postgame Quotes - Kentucky head coach John Calipari
