NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball defeated Fairfield, 62-53, Monday afternoon.
In a game rescheduled from Dec. 11 after the Stags were unable to travel due to inclement weather, Fairfield entered with positive momentum after defeating MAAC favorite Manhattan Saturday.
The Bruins played strong, purposeful basketball on both ends to start, as seven consecutive defensive stops and a conventional three-point play from junior Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) pushed to an early 9-0 lead.
The lead swelled to 19-7 on a jumper from senior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.), but Belmont squandered several opportunities to break free.
The Bruins were perhaps too unselfish, as a number of promising fast break chances yielded no points. In fact, Belmont scored just seven points off 11 Fairfield turnovers in the first half.
A three-pointer from Chamberlain and a short jumper from senior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) helped the Bruins lead 31-21 at halftime.
Belmont shot 48 percent (12-for-25) in the opening 20 minutes – including 1-for-7 from three-point distance. The Bruins limited Fairfield to 26 percent shooting.
A driving layin from Chamberlain pushed the lead to 38-25 with 17:30 left, but Fairfield hung around.
An Amadou Sidibe basket trimmed the margin to 42-39 before Jenkins capped a 9-0 Bruin run to extend the lead back to 12.
But with Belmont's trademark three-point shooting not quite on target, the Stags methodically chipped away. Fairfield tied the score at 53 with 4:01 left on two Sidibe free throws.
In search of an offensive lift, Belmont turned to Mann. He delivered a clutch three-pointer in front of the Bruin bench to give Belmont a 56-53 lead with 2:48 left.
After a series of defensive stops, Jenkins grabbed a key offensive rebound and found sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) for a driving basket and a five-point edge with 1:07 remaining.
The Bruins strung together six defensive stops to close the game.
All told, Belmont shot 49 percent (23-for-47) from the field – including 3-for-16 from three-point distance. Belmont had nine steals and limited Fairfield to 36 percent shooting.
Mann led three Belmont in double figures with 15 points. Chamberlain had 13, while Bradshaw scored 12.
Marcus Gilbert led Fairfield (4-15) with 16 points.
Belmont (14-7) returns to game action Thursday, Jan. 23 against Morehead State. Tip-off is set for 7 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 and 104.5 The Zone. In-game updates will be available on Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTES: Belmont has won 48 of its last 50 home games ... With 15 points, Mann passed Mick Hedgepeth for 10th place on the Bruins' NCAA era scoring list (1,192 points).
