Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball defeated Tennessee Tech, 64-62, Saturday afternoon at the Curb Event Center.
After shooting 64 percent from the field in Thursday's victory over Jacksonville State, the Bruins picked up right where they left off.
A three-pointer from senior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) pushed Belmont to an early 11-2 lead less than four minutes in. Moreover, opportunistic Bruin defense forced a number of Golden Eagle turnovers and led to transition baskets.
But foul trouble from forwards Drew Windler (South Milwaukee, Wisc.) and Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) again altered head coach Rick Byrd's offensive play-calling and substitution patterns.
A conventional three-point play from Shirmaine Thomas got Tennessee Tech within 17-13 midway through the first half.
Uncharacteristically cold Belmont shooting kept the Bruins from building true momentum. Four straight points from freshman Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) did enable the Bruins to claim a 29-23 halftime lead.
After its 5-for-7 start, Belmont shot just 34 percent from the field (10-for-29) in the opening 20 minutes - including 2-for-11 from three-point distance. The Bruins did force 10 Golden Eagle turnovers, and played even on the backboards against the excellent rebounding Tennessee Tech team.
Dennis Ogbe carried the Golden Eagle offensive torch early in the second half, but scores from sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.), Mann, and Bradds gave Belmont a 42-32 edge with 15:23 left.
Following a Jordan Johnson three-pointer, Bradds capped an 11-2 Belmont run with an emphatic baseline slam to lift the Bruins to their largest lead, 53-37, with 11:05 remaining.
The home Curb Event Center crowd was alive, but to the Golden Eagles credit, they hung tough.
The Bruins made just two field goals thereafter, as Jeremiah Samarrippas led a Tennessee Tech comeback effort. His floater in the lane made the score 59-55 with 5:17 remaining.
Following two Windler free throws, Dwan Caldwell scored to get Tennessee Tech within 61-59 with 3:48 left.
The Bruin offense simply lost its rhythm and flow down the stretch, but a clutch three-pointer from Bradshaw on a kick-out pass from Bradds pushed the lead back to five.
Following a series of defensive stops, a Javon McKay three-pointer made the score 64-62 with 58 seconds remaining.
On the subsequent Belmont possession, Samarrippas stole the ball as Bradshaw drove the right side, giving Tennessee Tech a chance to tie or take its first lead of the game.
But following a timeout, Ty Allen's diagonal, crosscourt pass bounced off the rim and was touched by Caldwell before heading into the backcourt, leading to a backcourt violation with six seconds remaining.
However, following a Belmont timeout, junior Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) misconnected on the inbounds pass intended for Mann, and the Golden Eagles regained possession near midcourt with no time running off the clock.
From there, Samarrippas missed an off-balance eight-footer with under two seconds left and Golden Eagle tip attempts came after the horn sounded.
All told, Belmont shot 44 percent from the field (21-for-48) - including 5-for-19 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced 19 Tennessee Tech turnovers which led directly to 26 Belmont points.
Bradshaw led three Bruins in double figures with 17 points. Mann added 14 points, six rebounds, and four steals. Bradds scored 10.
Samarrippas led Tennessee Tech (8-9, 1-1 OVC) with 16 points.
Belmont (10-6, 2-0 OVC) returns to game action Thursday, Jan. 9 at Southeast Missouri. Tip-off is set for 7 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 and 104.5 The Zone. In-game updates will be available on Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTES: Belmont has won 47 of its last 49 home games ... Belmont is 59-5 in conference games since the start of league play in the 2010-11 season (includes tournament) ... Belmont is 7-1 this season when Mann records three or more steals ... Belmont is 8-1 this season when forcing 15 or more turnovers ... Belmont's 34 percent first half shooting was its lowest first half output of the season ... Bradds has scored in double figures in seven of his last eight games ... Spencer Turner and Nick Smith each hit timely three-pointers off the bench.
