Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont women's basketball team was unable to overcome a slow start on Saturday at the Curb Event Center and fell to visiting Eastern Kentucky. The Bruins (7-14, 4-4 OVC) were held off, 75-59, by the Lady Colonels (11-6, 5-1 OVC).
After trading baskets on the opening possessions, EKU put together a quick 11-0 run, capitalizing on a nearly six minute scoring drought by the Bruins, to go up 14-2 with 14:13 left on the clock. Finally, junior Taylor Mills (Corryton, Tenn.) drilled a triple from the top of the arc to uncap the BU rim. She followed with a steal and a layup to move the Bruins to within seven, 14-7, by the 12:32 mark.
The Lady Colonels were able to expand their lead to double figures after a brief flurry but Belmont clawed back into the game around the 9:45 minute mark behind a trey by junior Katie Carroll (Lilburn, Ga.) and a layup by classmate Jordyn Luffman (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) to move within eight, 21-13. EKU was able to rebuild its double digit advantage, growing it to as many as 14, 33-19, by the 1:24 mark. Bryce converted a three-point opportunity 20 seconds later but the Lady Colonels would get the last score of the half and take a 36-22 lead into the locker room.
In the second stanza, the Bruins found bottom of the net first behind a jumper by sophomore Blair Bryce (Red Oak, Texas) and continued to hustle, trimming the game to single digits on a successful Luffman and-1. However, Eastern Kentucky exploded again, this time going on a 10-0 run that saw it pull away by 19, 48-29, with just over 15 minutes left in regulation.
BU continued to work hard to close the gap, creating scoring opportunities all over the floor and drawing fouls. The Bruins would move as close as 13, 60-47, by the 6:23 mark but were unable to narrow the gap further. EKU would go on to build a 20-point advantage but Belmont battled back behind points by sophomore Katherine Zander (Orange Park, Fla.) and freshmen Meredith Roman (Nashville, Tenn.) and Madison Blevins (Knoxville, Tenn.) in the waning minutes. The effort closed the gap to 75-59 at the final buzzer in favor of the Lady Colonels.
Eastern Kentucky shot 52.9 percent from the floor, 47.1 percent from three-point range and 76.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Lady Colonels held the advantage in rebounds, 44-24, and assists, 16-9.
EKU had three players in double digits led by Marie Carpenter with 27 points. Shelly Harper and Pilar Walker each scored 12 points. Harper also led the team with eight rebounds.
Belmont shot 35.5 percent from the hardwood, 10 percent from behind the three-point arc, and 76.5 percent from the charity stripe. The teams were even in steals with six apiece.
The Bruins were led in scoring by Luffman with 13 points. Carroll and Bryce each added nine points. Bryce also led the team in rebounds, pulling down five. Mills grabbed a pair of steals.
Belmont returns to action on Monday night at the Curb Event Center, hosting Morehead State. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. Fans can watch the game live on the OVC Digital Network and listen to Dr. Rich Tiner on the play-by-play call on the Bruins Sports Network. Live stats and an in-game Twitter feed (@BelmontWBB) will also be available.
