MOREHEAD , Ky. - - J.J. Mann's running bank shot with 12 seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner as Belmont University men's basketball defeated Morehead State, 76-73, Wednesday night.
The Bruins and Eagles played just six days ago in Nashville, with Belmont claiming an 80-66 victory. But after escaping with a one-point win at Morehead last season - and against a formidable Eagle squad emboldened by a boisterous home crowd in front of a national television audience – Belmont was fully prepared for a 40-minute dogfight.
Morehead State rode the emotional play of Billy Reader early, as the post player delivered eight points and five rebounds in the first five minutes to push the Eagles to an 11-4 lead.
Belmont weathered the early storm, settling in behind consecutive baskets from Mann to claw within 13-10 seven minutes in.
But back-to-back three-pointers from Brent Arrington and Drew Kelly increased the Morehead State lead to 19-10.
As shots uncharacteristically rimmed out for the Bruins, Morehead State pushed on, extending to a 25-13 edge on a basket from Luka Pajkovic.
Nevertheless, Belmont continued to attack, earning trips to the free throw line as key Eagle players Angelo Warner and Greg Dotson each picked up three first half fouls.
A baseline three-pointer from freshman Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.) closed the margin to 29-25, and four late free throws got the Bruins within 35-29 at the break.
Belmont shot 32 percent (8-for-25) in the opening 20 minutes – including 3-for-12 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced eight Morehead State turnovers in the first half.
The intensity and play-making only grew in the second half.
Belmont worked into a nice offensive rhythm as a three-pointer from Mann and a dunk from freshman Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) got the Bruin bench going.
Morehead State also elevated its offensive play early in half number two, with an Arrington jumper and two Reader free throws enabling the Eagles to maintain a 43-35 lead with 17:29 left.
After another Bradds layin, senior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) slammed with authority along the baseline to get the Bruins within 46-43 with 15:20 remaining.
But just as Belmont appeared poised to push ahead, Warner answered to two straight three-pointers to extend Morehead State's advantage back to 52-45.
However, Mann would provide five straight points to draw the Bruins even at 52 with 10:59 left, the first tie since 0-0.
But once again, Morehead State would offer a stern reply. Two Dotson free throws and a second chance three-pointer from Kelly gave the Eagles a 59-54 lead with 8:25 left.
Sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) answered with a deep wing three-pointer, before Pajkovic drained two contested treys to give Morehead State a 67-59 edge with 5:47 remaining.
Yet Belmont battled on. A wing three-pointer from Mann inched the Bruins within 69-65 with 3:42 remaining. The Bruins would string together defensive stops to get even closer, but promising looks for Mann and Bradshaw rimmed out.
Kelly and Warner would tack on three free throws to make the score 72-65 with 1:36 left.
On the next sequence, Arrington would foul out attempting to steal the ball from Bradshaw. One free throw would trim the margin to six.
After one Warner free throw pushed lead back to seven with 1:19 left, Mann would be fouled initiating Bruin offense in the frontcourt. His two free throws closed the gap to five points with 1:11 to go.
As Belmont would continue to press, junior Holden Mobley (Nashville, Tenn.) would poke the ball loose from Pajkovic. The Bruins would run offense and free Chamberlain for a driving layin that made the score 73-70 with 56 seconds left.
Nervous energy became palpable, and the partisan home crowd felt uneasy as Belmont pressed on.
After a timeout, the Bruins proceeded to force a five second violation on Morehead State to regain possession. Belmont then freed Bradds on the inbounds play for an attempt at the rim, where he would be fouled by Dotson in the act of shooting.
One Bradds free throw inched Belmont to 73-71 with 47 seconds left.
As the Bruins' pressure defense became stronger with each passing moment, Chamberlain and Bradshaw nearly drew charging fouls before Bradshaw would be whistled for a blocking foul on Pajkovic with 36 seconds left.
Pajkovic proceeded to miss both free throw attempts, with Bradshaw securing the rebound.
Well versed in late-game situations, Chamberlain ran offense, found a driving lane and scored with 26 seconds remaining to tie the game at 73.
With the shot clock off, Belmont continued to press and challenge Morehead State. As Pajkovic neared the timeline, Chamberlain tipped the ball away from behind, right into the waiting arms of Mann.
Mann would walk the tightrope along the near sideline, lead a 3 on 1 Bruin fast break, and finish in traffic with the left hand to give Belmont its first lead, 75-73, with 12 seconds left.
Following a Morehead State timeout, Pajkovic would drive baseline and be whistled for an offensive foul with nine seconds left.
With possession and the lead, the Bruins freed Mann, who would be fouled with eight seconds left.
Mann, one of the top free throw shooters in the OVC and the nation, would surprisingly miss the first attempt, but make the second to give the Bruins a 76-73 lead.
Belmont defended the final sequence well, as Warner's off-balance three-point attempt at the horn was short.
All told, Belmont shot 46 percent (23-for-50) from the field – including 7-for-19 from three-point distance. The Bruins shot 60 percent in the second half, and only committed seven turnovers for the game.
Mann led four Bruins in double figures with 22 points. Chamberlain added 14 points and four assists while Bradshaw scored 12. Bradds added 10 points and six rebounds.
Kelly led Morehead State (14-9, 5-3 OVC) with 23 points.
Belmont (17-7, 8-1 OVC) returns to game action Saturday, Feb. 1 at Tennessee Tech. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
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.
NOTES: It marked the second consecutive season that Mann hit a game-winning shot at Morehead State … Mann made a three-pointer with 1:13 left to give the Bruins a 64-63 win at Morehead State last season … The victory was career win No. 100 in a Belmont uniform for seniors Mann and Jenkins ... The Bruins had 10 steals … Morehead State had a near-capacity crowd on 'Blackout Night' for a nationally-televised audience on CBS Sports Network.
