MARTIN, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball rode a strong first half to defeat UT Martin, 87-72, Saturday afternoon.
Building off Thursday's 107-point performance at Southeast Missouri, the Bruins got seven early points from sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) in building an early 11-2 lead.
Belmont limited UT Martin to one field goal the opening five and a half minutes.
A Mike Liabo basket got the Skyhawks within 12-9, before Belmont unleashed a 14-1 run over the next five minutes.
Senior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) and freshman Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) keyed the run as the Bruins seized a 26-10 advantage with 7:22 left in the half.
With 14 points in the first 13 minutes of play, Bradshaw was forced to the bench after picking up a second personal foul.
As strong team defense kept UT Martin disjointed, Belmont closed the first half on a 10-2 spurt.
Mann sank a straight-on three-pointer then added a steal and coast-to-coast layin to give the Bruins a 46-23 halftime lead.
Belmont shot 61 percent in the opening 20 minutes – including 5-for-10 from three-point distance. The Bruins handed out 10 assists on only four turnovers, while holding the Skyhawks to 6-for-29 shooting.
Bradshaw was unable to build upon his early rhythm, picking up a third personal foul 18 seconds into the second half.
Nevertheless, the Bruins remained poised and purposeful as Mann and junior Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) took the scoring responsibilities.
Senior Drew Windler (South Milwaukee, Wisc.) gave Belmont a 61-39 lead with 12:00 minutes remaining.
But the Skyhawks played with great intensity in the second half, as Dee Oldham and Mike Liabo sparked a comeback push. A Liabo basket capped a 15-2 UT Martin run that made the score 63-54 with 9:09 left.
Bradshaw quickly answered with a determined conventional three-point play and the Bruins would lead by double figures the remainder of the game.
For the game, the Bruins shot 58 percent from the field - including 7-for-14 from three-point distance. Belmont also went 24-for-32 from the free throw line.
Bradshaw led four Bruins in double figures with 22 points. Mann had 19 points and five rebounds, while Bradds added 18 points and five rebounds. Chamberlain had 13.
Liabo led UT Martin (5-14, 0-4 OVC) with 20 points.
Belmont (12-6, 4-0 OVC) returns to game action Thursday, Jan. 16 at Eastern Kentucky. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT.
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. In-game updates will be available on Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTE: Belmont has won 61 of its last 66 conference games (includes tournament) dating back to the start of 2010-11 Atlantic Sun Conference play. That .924 winning percentage is best in the NCAA.
