NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball stormed out to a big lead, then held off Eastern Kentucky, 84-81, Saturday night.
In the second meeting between the two teams in nine days, the Bruins looked to build upon momentum gained from Thursday night's victory over Morehead State.
Belmont and Eastern Kentucky entered the evening as two of the nation's top offensive teams, ranking in the top 10 nationally in two-point field goal percentage and effective field goal percentage - which accounts for two-point and three-point attempts.
It was a bit of an inauspicious start for Belmont, as Eastern Kentucky raced out to a 7-0 lead on five early points from Glenn Cosey.
But from there, the Bruins held the Colonels scoreless over the next three and a half minutes in ripping off an electrifying 16-0 run.
Sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) and senior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) sank consecutive three-pointers 23 seconds apart to cap the run, giving Belmont a 16-7 lead.
The lead grew to 26-13 on another Mann basket, before the Colonels closed to 28-23 on a score from Eric Stutz.
But junior Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) capped a 10-0 Belmont run that pushed the margin back to 15.
Belmont continued to use its tough, unified team defense to fuel its offense, which showcased some of the best passing of the season.
Mann tied a bow on his remarkable opening 20 minutes with a deep, contested three-pointer to close the first half, and give Belmont a 50-30 lead at halftime.
Belmont shot 57 percent (17-for-30) in the opening 20 minutes - including 8-for-18 from three-point distance. But perhaps more noteworthy, the Bruins held Eastern Kentucky to 37 percent shooting while forcing seven turnovers.
Mann had 23 first-half points on 9-for-12 shooting.
The Colonels quickly closed to 52-39 three minutes into the second half, before a layin from freshman Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) and a Chamberlain basket pushed the margin back to 64-42 with 10:28 left.
The Bruin lead remained 21, 70-49, with 8:24 left before EKU guards Glenn Cosey and Corey Walden sparked a furious comeback.
Three-pointers from Cosey and Orlando Williams, and a Walden layin quickly trimmed the margin to 70-57 with 6:43 left.
Leading 76-65 after two Mann free throws, the Bruins looked poised to close the game out when Bradshaw stole the ball from Walden in the open court. But as Bradshaw sped downcourt to elevate for a sure two points, he lost his balance, and proceeded to lose possession.
A Cosey layin, an empty Bruin posession, and another deep Cosey three-pointer later, and Eastern Kentucky suddenly narrowed the margin to six, 76-70, with 2:23 left,
At the 2:01 mark, the Colonels elected to intentionally foul senior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) to test the veteran's free throw shooting. Judged a common foul, Jenkins confidently made both free throws to increase the Belmont lead back to eight, 78-70.
Jenkins would then deny Stutz at the rim on the Colonels next possession. Belmont was in good hands, as Mann was fouled by Stutz after the play.
But after Mann extended the margin to 79-70 with one free throw, he uncharacteristically missed the second attempt and Jenkins would be whistled for a loose ball foul on the rebound, stopping the clock with 1:48 remaining and giving the Colonels the opportunity to inch closer.
Walden made both free throws to cut the margin to 79-72. Following a Belmont miscue, Walden scored inside to make the score 79-74 with 1:24 left.
Chamberlain would then be called for a traveling violation with 1:03 remaining, giving the Colonels a chance to make it a one possession game for the first time since the score was 10-7.
But Cosey would be whistled for a traveling violation with 54 seconds left.
From there, 5-for-6 free throw shooting and a Bradshaw layin gave the Bruins enough cushion at 84-78.
Cosey made a 30-footer at the horn to provide the final margin.
All told, Belmont shot 52 percent (26-for-50) from the field - including 9-for-24 from three-point distance. The Bruins outrebounded Eastern Kentucky, 33-30, and grabbed eight steals.
Mann scored a career-high 34 points and added eight rebounds. Bradshaw had 21. Chamberlain chipped in 14 points and seven assists.
Cosey led Eastern Kentucky (14-7, 5-3 OVC) with 24.
Belmont (16-7, 7-1 OVC) returns to game action Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Morehead State. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast live on the CBS Sports 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.
NOTES: With 34 points, Mann has 61 career double figure scoring games ... Mann also passed Andy Wicke, Steve Drabyn, and Adam Sonn, and now ranks sixth on the Bruins' NCAA era scoring list with 1,245 career points ... Mann is averaging 7.5 rebounds per game when scoring 30+ ... Alex Renfroe holds the Curb Event Center single-game scoring record with 38 points ... Bradshaw has scored 12 or more points in 13 straight games ... Chamberlain has 24 assists in his last four games ... Bradds played a career-high 36 minutes ... Belmont has won 50 of its last 52 home games ... Belmont honored former women's basketball head coach and Senior Woman Administrator Betty Wiseman prior to tip, celebrating her five decades of service to Belmont University.
