Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Belmont women's basketball team (3-10) wrapped the non-conference portion of its schedule on Monday night in the Curb Event Center. The Bruins fell to regional rival Western Kentucky (11-3), 66-50.
The teams opened the matchup slowly, with neither team able to find a rhythm on either end of the floor. Western Kentucky was able to jump out to 5-0 lead before the Bruins responded. The teams traded baskets for the next majority of the stanza but managed to only be separated by two possessions before one team would wage a brief rally.
A completed three-point play by senior Adrienne Tarrence (Bowling Green, Ky.) made it a one-point differential, 14-13, by the 10 minute mark. WKU fired back with a 6-0 run to pull away, 20-13, three and a half minutes later. The Bruins were sparked by a steal by freshman Sierra Jones (Huntsville, Ala.) and saw BU hustle to make it a one possession game but the Lady Toppers used well timed shots behind the three-point arc to hold off Belmont's surges. WKU would blow its lead up to as many as eight, 31-23, before senior Jordyn Luffman-Hartsfield (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) hit back-to-back triples. The effort moved Belmont to within five, 34-29, as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
The start of the second half saw Western Kentucky grow its lead to nine points, 38-29, before senior Katie Carroll (Lilburn, Ga.) drilled a three pointer from the left corner. Strong defensive work saw the Bruins force a turnover, using the momentum to go on a 10-2 run to inch within one, 39-38, with 15:09 remaining. The Lady Toppers fired back and used a 12-0 run to pull ahead, 51-38, by the 9:12 mark, capitalizing on a more than six minute scoring drought. Finally, Tarrence broke the ice off the rim with a drive in the lane and sophomore Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.) followed with a layup, opening a 10-2 run for the BU that closed the gap to 53-48 with 4:46 left in regulation.
WKU regained its double digit lead with just under three minutes left on the clock after converting a three-point opportunity and used it to open up a 10-0 to go up, 66-50. The Bruins were unable to recover in the waning minutes and fell by the same score as the Lady Toppers burned to clock to close the game.
Western Kentucky shot 45.6 percent from the floor, 42.1 percent from three-point range and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Lady Toppers held the advantage in assists, 14-13, blocks, 4-2, and steals, 19-3.
WKU had three players in double figures, led by Chastity Gooch's 24 points. Alexis Govan added 17 and Micah Jones contributed 11 points. Kendall Noble had nine rebounds.
Belmont shot 33.3 percent from the hardwood, 27.6 percent from behind the three-point arc and 61.5 percent from the charity stripe. The Bruins held the advantage in rebounds, 42-26.
Luffman-Hartsfield led the Bruins with 13 points. Carroll and Tarrence added nine and eight points, respectively. Sophomore Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.) pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds. Senior Taylor Mills (Corryton, Tenn.) finished with six assists.
Belmont will open the OVC portion of their schedule on Thursday at the Curb Event Center. The Bruins host Southeast Missouri State beginning at 3 p.m. The game can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network and heard live on the Bruins Sports Network. Live stats and an in-game Twitter feed (@BelmontWBB) will also be available.
