MURRAY, Ky. - - Despite a heroic final five minutes, Belmont University men's basketball dropped a 79-74 decision at Murray State Thursday night.
The eagerly-anticipated, nationally-televised contest between the two OVC division leaders became a must-see event at CFSB Center.
The Bruins, known for its strong play away from home over the years - including nine such victories in 2012-13 - came out well.
Three points from junior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) and a three-pointer from junior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) gave Belmont a 6-2 lead two minutes in.
But behind strong play from Brandon Garrett and Stacy Wilson, and consecutive three-pointers from Isaiah Canaan, Murray State claimed a 14-8 lead.
Yet following the flurry from the reigning OVC Player of the Year, Belmont's team defense was strong on Canaan the remainder of the half, as he went scoreless the final 15:10.
However, Belmont's trademark shooting touch was off in the first half, as missed opportunities mounted, leading to Racer runouts.
Nevetheless, a short jumper from senior Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) and a steal and score from freshman Craig Bradshaw (Franklin, Tenn.) got Belmont within 21-17 with 8:17 left in the half.
Wilson would then make consecutive three-point field goals to cap an 11-1 Murray State run to make the score 32-18 with 4:23 left in the half.
After makes from Clark, Jenkins, and Mann, one Garrett free throw gave Murray State a 36-26 halftime lead.
Belmont shot 39 percent (10-for-26) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 3-for-10 from three-point distance. Meanwhile, Murray State, which was mired in an uncharacteristic shooting slump of 15-for-71 from three-point distance in its previous four games, went 6-for-16 from three in the first half.
Moreover, Belmont only forced two Murray State turnovers in the first half, despite forcing nearly 18 per game entering play.
After Murray State scored the first four points of the second half, Belmont got consecutive baskets again from Clark, Jenkins and Mann to climb within 40-32 with 17:01 left.
But each time the Bruins appeared poised to inch closer, Canaan would set up his teammates; this time Dexter Fields hit two baseline three-pointers to keep the Racer lead at 48-37.
Murray State worked into the bonus with 8:11 left, and that, coupled with Canaan's ability to manage possessions and orchestrate the Racer offense kept Belmont at arm's length.
It wasn't from a lack of effort, but Belmont simply could not muster a trademark scoring run.
In short, through 35 minutes it appeared to be "one of those nights" - with the host Racers playing well and Belmont just not hitting on all cylinders.
Two Canaan free throws gave Murray State a 67-53 lead with 4:59 left.
Yet, through equal parts resiliency and pride, Belmont - as they have done time and again over the years - simply fought back and got back into the game.
Consecutive baskets from Clark and senior Trevor Noack (Keller, Texas) got Belmont within 10 before senior Brandon Baker tacked on a wing three-pointer to make the score 67-60 with 3:36 remaining.
Following three Murray State free throws, Belmont increased the pressure defense, with Noack and Clark making consecutive three-pointers in a nine second span to get the Bruins within 70-66 with 2:26 left.
Two Canaan free throws extended the Racer lead back to six, before Noack again scored inside to get Belmont within 72-68 with 2:11 left.
Then after a Wilson interior miss, Clark appeared to set up Jenkins for a promising layin, but the pass did not connect and possession went back to Murray State with 1:27 remaining.
Moments later, Canaan would add two more free throws to give Murray State a 74-68 edge with 1:23 to go.
Clark continued his remarkable stretch run with a 28-footer over the Racer defense to cut the deficit in half. On the subsequent press break, sophomore Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) would force a Murray State turnover, giving Belmont a chance to tie.
As expected, the Bruins turned to Clark, who again sank a difficult, deep three-pointer to tie the score at 74 with 58 seconds left.
While the partisan Murray State crowd was somewhat in disbelief at the turn of events, the Racers did not call timeout and simply turned the show over to Canaan.
After receiving a high ball screen, Canaan moved left, elevated and made a deep, contested three-pointer of his own with 34 seconds left to give Murray State a 77-74 lead.
Looking for yet another dramatic answer, this time Clark lost control of possession near the Bruin bench and turned the ball back over to Murray State with 25 seconds left.
Canaan made one free throw with 21 seconds left to increase the margin to four.
Mann then missed a three-pointer with 11 seconds left on Belmont's final sequence.
All told, Belmont shot 52 percent from the field - including 64 percent in the second half. The Bruins were 9-for-21 from three-point distance.
Clark led four Bruins in double figures with 22 points and four assists. Jenkins and Johnson each had 12. Mann added 10.
Canaan led Murray State (17-5, 8-2 OVC) with 26 points.
Belmont (19-5, 10-1 OVC) returns to action Saturday, Feb. 9 at Austin Peay. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
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. Live video streaming will be available via the OVC Digital Network. In-game updates will be provided via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTES: The result snaps a 10 game win streak and 24 game conference win streak dating back to Atlantic Sun Conference for the Bruins ... Belmont's five steals were its fewest since also recording five in victory over South Dakota State Dec. 19 ... Clark scored 17 of his 22 in the second half, and nine in the final 2:26 ... He passed Justin Hare for second on the Bruins' NCAA era career scoring list.
