Box Score COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball could not overcome cold shooting and miscues in an 81-76 setback at Tennessee Tech Saturday night.
After Javon McKay opened the scoring, junior Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) capped a 10-2 Belmont run with a driving layin.
10 early points from sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) gave the Bruins a 17-7 lead seven and a half minutes in.
But Tennessee Tech responded, causing foul difficulty for the Bruins while mounting an offensive surge of its own.
Josiah Moore, known more for his driving than his exploits from behind the arc, hit his second of three first half three-pointers to give the Golden Eagles a 26-25 lead.
Treys from Moore and McKay increased the margin to 34-27, before senior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) drained a deep, contested three-pointer to close the first half and bring the Bruins within 36-32 at the break.
Belmont shot 40 percent (10-for-25) from the field in the opening 20 minutes – including 4-for-10 from three-point distance. The Bruins held Tennessee Tech to 40 percent shooting, but committed nine first half turnovers.
The second half began inauspiciously, as another Bruin turnover led to a resounding slam and conventional three-point play to extend the Golden Eagles' lead to seven.
But Belmont quickly answered, as baskets from senior Drew Windler (South Milwaukee, Wisc.), Bradshaw, and a three-pointer from freshman Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.) gave the Bruins a 42-41 lead with 16:21 left.
Yet just as momentum appeared to be swinging in Belmont's favor, Tennessee Tech wrestled it back with purpose. Earning their way into the bonus with 12:15 left, the Golden Eagles methodically built a working margin from the free throw line.
A reverse layin from Mann ended a four-minute Bruin scoring drought and got Belmont within 55-46 with 10:27 to go. But more strong Tennessee Tech defense fueled its offense, as three-pointers from Jordan Johnson and Jeremiah Samarrippas made the score 69-50 with 6:35 left.
A Shirmaine Thomas basket kept the margin at 19 with 5:12 left, and it would have been easy for Belmont to pack it in and call it one of those nights. But, the Bruins orchestrated yet another trademark fight to the finish.
Back-to-back threes from Mann and Bradshaw narrowed the gap to 71-58 with 4:10 left.
Then after two steals in pressure defense, freshman Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Tenn.) scored four points to make the score 71-62 with 3:40 remaining.
Sammarrippas and Thomas would combine on three free throws, but the Bruin run would continue.
Three-pointers from Bradshaw and Windler, and two Chamberlain free throws suddenly got the Bruins within 74-70 with 1:39 remaining.
With the Eblen Center crowd on its feet and uneasinesses abounding, Belmont had miraculously given itself a chance.
Senior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) would steal the subsequent inbounds pass, giving Belmont a chance to get within two or one with plenty of time.
But amidst all the urgency to maximize possessions and scramble things up, perhaps the Bruins themselves went too quickly.
Bradshaw would take Jenkins' pass and attempt a promising baseline three-pointer, which would rim off. Chamberlain skied in from the weakside for an offensive rebound, but his putback attempt would also rim off. After a Tennessee Tech defensive rebound, and some scattered play in the Golden Eagles' frontcourt, Dwon Caldwell would be fouled on the offensive glass with 1:13 left.
Caldwell would make both free throws to push the Tennessee Tech lead back to 76-70.
Chamberlain replied with two free throws with 1:01 to go to get Belmont back within four. Then after Samarrippas crossed into the frontcourt, Chamberlain poked the ball free and the Bruins came up with possession.
But another chance to close within two or one went by the boards, as Mann missed a short pullup jumper with 40 seconds left.
The Bruins would get within four once more on a Bradshaw driving basket with 12 seconds left, but Tennessee Tech made five free throws in the final 33 seconds to secure the outcome.
All told, Belmont shot 39 percent (24-for-61) from the field – including 10-for-27 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced 19 turnovers, but committed 19 themselves.
Bradshaw led three Bruins in double figures with 23 points. Chamberlain had 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Mann added 13 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals.
Moore led Tennessee Tech (11-13, 4-5 OVC) with 22 points.
Belmont (17-8, 8-2 OVC) returns to game action Thursday, Feb. 6 versus Murray State. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU. 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.
