Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the second consecutive game, the Belmont women's basketball team (5-11, 2-1 OVC) held off a scrappy opponent late to pick up an OVC victory. The Bruins knocked off in-state rival Tennessee Tech (4-11, 1-1 OVC), 62-53, to open league play at home on Saturday afternoon. The win over the Golden Eagles was the first since the 2008-09 season.
The teams opened the contest trading baskets and knotting the score three times in the first six minutes. BU surged and jumped out to an early 8-4 lead behind a quick put back tip-in by redshirt freshman Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.) and a drive by junior Adrienne Tarrence (Bowling Green, Ky.) around the 16 minute mark but the score was quickly tied up again. The Golden Eagles put together a 10-2 run to go up 18-13 by the 10:48 mark. However, the lead was short lived as the Bruins regained their bearings and looked inside to score with points coming from Tarrence and Joubran.
A triple from the left side of the arc by junior Jordyn Luffman (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) trimmed the TTU lead down to one, 23-22, with just over seven minutes left in the first half. Tech fired back but a pair at the stripe by junior Katie Carroll (Lilburn, Ga.) kept it a one possession game two minutes later. The Bruins dug in their heels and saw freshman Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.) knock down a jumper from just inside the arc to put them on top, 28-27, with 4:54 remaining.
A tip and steal saw Tarrence feed Luffman on a fast-break to put Belmont back on top, 30-29, three minutes later. The Bruins tightened up on defense in the final two minutes and went on to grab a 32-29 lead behind a steal and another jumper from Thompson. Belmont maintained composure and possession as the clock neared expiration. Junior Taylor Mills (Corryton, Tenn.) dribbled around the outside of the arc and found the bottom of the net from long range at the buzzer to send the Bruins to their locker room with a 35-29 lead.
In the second half, BU struck first with a drive by Tarrence to put BU up but Diamond Henderson was able to score on Tennessee Tech's next two possessions. Suddenly, the Golden Eagles' rim was lidded and Belmont began to pile on the points. Mills added three points the hard way after a foul to put Belmont on top by double digits for the first time in the contest, 43-33, with 14:41 left on the clock. All told, the Golden Eagles were ice cold from the floor for upwards of four minutes, thanks to a strong defensive effort by the Bruins.
BU maintained its double digit advantage until Henderson was able to convert a three-point play around the 10 minute mark to move TTU to within seven, 49-42. The Bruins fell silent from the hardwood for three and a half minutes before Mills knocked down her second three pointer of the afternoon to put Belmont ahead, 52-43, with 8:43 left on the clock. The Golden Eagles stayed on the hunt for something to spark a rally. They appeared to have it in Henderson's shooting and a full court press on defense in the final two and a half minutes but the effort only narrowed the gap to four, 53-49, by the 2:26 mark.
BU remained steadfast in the face of the surge and worked to rebuild its double digit lead, thanks to free throws coming from Thompson, Tarrence and Mills. After the consecutive trips to the stripe, the Bruins boasted an 11-point lead, 60-49, with just 36 ticks left in regulation. Henderson was able to convert a three-point play in the final 19 seconds but Belmont held the ball as time expired to secure the 62-53 victory.
TTU shot 40 percent from the floor, an icy 16.7 percent from three-point range and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line. The Golden Eagles held the advantage in rebounds, 39-32, and blocks, 4-0.
Tennessee Tech was led in scoring by Diamond Henderson, who scored a game high 29 points. T'Keyah Williams led the team in rebounds, grabbing seven.
Belmont shot 38.6 percent from the hardwood, 27.3 percent from behind the three-point arc and 57.1 percent from the charity stripe. The Bruins held the advantage in assists, 14-3, and steals, 14-6.
For the second time this season, four Bruins reached double figures. Luffman led with 12, followed by Carroll and Mills with 11 each. Tarrence rounded out the group with 10 points. Joubran pulled down a game-high seven rebounds. Mills finished with a game-high five steals while Tarrence collected a game-high six assists.
Belmont returns to action on Monday at the Curb Event Center, hosting Jacksonville State. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. The game can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network. Fans can also hear 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.
