Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind a career-high 26 points from senior Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.), Belmont University men's basketball defeated Jacksonville State, 78-71, Saturday afternoon.
The Bruins, who secured at least a share of the OVC regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming OVC Tournament Wednesday, eyed the outright league championship Saturday.
The decorated senior quintet of Johnson, Adam Barnes (Clarksville, Tenn.), Brandon Baker (Milford, Ohio), Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) and Trevor Noack (Keller, Texas) looked to earn victory in their final game at the Curb Event Center.
An opening three-pointer from Noack and a quick drive from Johnson gave Belmont a 5-0 lead 1:08 into the game. But two three-pointers from Tarvin Gaines enabled the visiting Gamecocks to take a 7-5 lead moments later.
Belmont held JSU scoreless for a five and a half minute stretch midway through the half, seizing a 19-9 lead on a Noack layin.
The lead swelled to 26-14 on an acrobatic layin by junior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.), before JSU cut into the lead. Belmont suffered from a handful of unfortunate breaks late in the first half, as loose balls or steal attempts seemed to bounce right into JSU hands in scoring range.
After Johnson put Belmont up 32-21, the Gamecocks hit three consecutive shots from behind the arc in a 1:17 span to get within 32-30.
But after a conventional three-point play from Johnson and a defensive stop, Clark buried a dramatic, buzzer-beating 30-footer that sent Belmont to the locker room at half up seven, 38-31.
Belmont shot 68 percent (15-for-22) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 2-for-6 from three-point distance.
The Bruins maintained a solid working margin, as a Clark conventional three-point play put Belmont up 45-37 with 17:23 left.
But as Noack and Jenkins nursing foul trouble, the Gamecocks again challenged. A wing three-pointer from Ronnie Boggs got JSU within 47-45 with 14:34 remaining.
From there, Johnson took control, scoring on darting drives or earning free throw attempts. A slick Johnson assist to junior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) stretched the lead to 51-45 with 13:21 left.
Five Clark points made the score 60-50 with 9:32 to go, but again, the Gamecocks' unusual style of "really fast" or "really deliberate" enabled them to stay somewhat within reach.
Three straight baskets at the rim by Baker were timely, inhibiting a JSU push.
JSU could get no closer than six points the remainder of the way. A Boggs 30-footer provided the final margin.
For the game, Belmont shot 57 percent (26-for-46) from the field - including 3-for-11 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced 12 turnovers and went 23-for-24 from the free throw line.
Aside from Johnson's career day, Jenkins added 14 points, Clark 13, Noack 11 and Baker a season-high eight points.
Gaines led Jacksonville State (17-11, 8-8 OVC) with 19 points.
Belmont (24-6, 14-2 OVC) returns to action Friday, Mar. 8 in the semifinal round of the OVC Tournament. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT from Nashville Municipal Auditorium.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU. 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.
2013 OVC Tournament Bracket
NOTES: With the victory, Belmont's seniors won their 100th game ... Belmont has won 20 consecutive home games, and 41 of its last 42 games at the Curb Event Center ... Belmont outscored JSU 42-24 in the paint ... It was the fifth time this season Johnson has tallied 10+ made free throws in a game.
