NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball used an efficient first half to defeat Tennessee State, 79-65, Saturday night.
Senior Drew Windler (South Milwaukee, Wisc.) hit consecutive three-pointers to open things, prompting a timeout from Tennessee State head coach Travis Williams 48 seconds into the game.
And though the Bruins would miss their next four attempts from behind the arc, strong offensive rebounding effort sparked the early charge.
Two straight driving baskets from sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) and a putback basket by junior Chad Lang (Marietta, Ga.) gave Belmont a 16-6 advantage just over five minutes in.
All 12 Bruins on the active roster would see action in the first nine minutes of the game, as Coach Byrd kept fresh players on the floor.
Senior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) capped a 9-0 Belmont run that made the score 27-7 with 11:23 left in the first half.
After Kennedy Eubanks ended a five-plus minute field goal spell for the Tigers, freshman Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Tenn.) scored two baskets inside to push the margin to 31-10.
The torrid pace levelled off somewhat, but Belmont maintained its active defense and rebounding.
Mann hit a difficult pullup jumpshot at the end of the first half to give the Bruins a 41-19 lead at the break.
The Bruins shot 53 percent (17-for-32) in the opening 20 minutes - including 5-for-13 from three-point distance. Meanwhile, Belmont held Tennessee State to 31 percent shooting while forcing eight turnovers.
But strangely, as was the case one week ago at UT Martin, after an impressive first half on both ends of the floor, Belmont simply could not recapture the momentum early in half number two.
A series of fouls, missed shots and miscues coincided with inspired play from Patrick Miller and M.J. Rhett to slowly work the Tigers back into the game.
As good shots continued to rim off and with one free throw from junior Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) accounting for the Belmont scoring in the first six-plus minutes of the half, Tennessee State closed to 42-34 on a transition jumpshot from Jay Harris.
Mann ended the interminable field goal drought with a three-pointer at the 12:57 mark to push the Bruin lead back to 11.
But Tennessee State pushed on, as a Jamonte Graham three-pointer and a Rhett slam narrowed the margin to 45-39 with 12:05 left.
Three-pointers from Chamberlain, Mann and freshman Nick Smith (Bentonville, Tenn.) keyed a 13-6 Bruin reply that stretched the lead back to 58-45 with 8:31 remaining.
Rhett and Miller continued their dynamic play, and Jaleel Queary's layin inched the Tigers within 59-53 with 6:52 to go.
But Bradds would answer with a conventional three-point play and four free throws as part of a timely 12-3 Belmont run that gave the Bruins a 71-56 edge with 2:38 left, and extinguished Tennessee State's final push.
All told, Belmont shot 51 percent (29-for-57) from the field - including 10-for-24 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced 15 turnovers and had 23 bench points.
Mann led balanced scoring with 17 points. Bradshaw had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Bradds added 13 points and six rebounds. Chamberlain had 12 points and six assists while Windler scored 11.
Miller led Tennessee State (2-19, 1-6 OVC) with 21 points.
Belmont (13-7, 5-1 OVC) returns to game action Monday, Jan. 20 against Fairfield. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m CT from the Curb Event Center.
The game will be broadcast live on the OVC Digital Network. The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network. In-game updates will be available on Twitter @BelmontMBB.
Admission is FREE to the public.
NOTES: Belmont has won nine of the last 10 games against Tennessee State ... That completes a stretch of 14 out of 20 games away from home for Belmont...Those who purchased single-game Fairfield tickets (originally scheduled for Dec. 11) who will be unable to attend the rescheduled game Monday may exchange those tickets for admission to any remaining Bruin home basketball game this season...Our friends from Donut Den will have free donuts for the first 500 fans in attendance Monday.
