Box Score MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Strong work at the free-throw line sealed a third consecutive victory for the Belmont women's basketball team on the road Monday night. The Bruins (10-14, 7-4 OVC) went 22-of-23 at the stripe to knock off Morehead State (10-13, 4-6 OVC) and improve to 7-4 in the OVC.
After finding the bottom of the net first to open the contest, the Bruins sparked a 7-0 run behind baskets by junior Katie Carroll (Lilburn, Ga.), redshirt freshman Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.), and capped by a triple by junior Adrienne Tarrence (Bowling Green, Ky.), her career first. However, the Eagles fired back and made it a one-point game, 9-8, with 14:16 on the clock.
Morehead State kept chipping away and eventually knotted the game at 13 three minutes later. MSU went on to gain the lead for the first time behind a 7-0 run to stand at 23-15 by the seven minute mark aided by a nearly five minute scoring drought by the Bruins. BU was able to get back into the contest behind a trifecta by Carroll, followed by a steal and layup by junior Taylor Mills (Corryton, Tenn.), closing the gap to one point, 23-20, with just under four minutes remaining in the half.
The teams traded baskets as the clock raced towards 0:00, knotting the score three more times over the final two minutes. Freshman Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.) hit a jumper in the lane with 46 ticks left but MSU answered back 30 seconds later, helping it to take a slim 31-29 lead into the locker room.
The Bruins opened the second half aggressively with sophomore Blair Bryce (Red Oak, Texas) coming up with a steal on the opening possession and Carroll drilling her second triple. Joubran followed with two at the line and Belmont was ahead 34-31, two and a half minutes in. Morehead State battled back, forcing two more ties over the next three minutes before Belmont blew its lead up to double digits for the first time behind strong shooting by Luffman, Thompson, and Mills. All told, BU rattled off a 13-0 run to pull ahead, 55-42, by the 9:06 mark.
Morehead State emerged from its four and a half minute scoring drought with a flurry of baskets in the paint. At the end of the 10-0 run, the Eagles were within three, 55-52, with 6:02 on the clock. MSU surged again and moved within one, 57-56, two minutes later.
The teams began feverishly trading baskets as the clock inched toward its final minutes. A careless foul moved Belmont into the shooting bonus and the Bruins used it thoroughly to its advantage in the final 90 seconds of regulation. BU began to expand its lead at the stripe and by the final 15 seconds, it was ahead by six, 68-62. Morehead State drove for two but fouled as Belmont inbounded the ball. Mills knocked down both to rebuild the six-point lead but Almesha Jones hit a three as time expired, sealing the 70-67 win for the Bruins.
"We tried to keep playing hard through adversity we were facing in the game tonight," said Luffman. "We've been doing well in free throws the past few games and we have been shooting them a lot in practice as a team.
"It's always huge to get a win on the road in conference. I feel like we have been playing together a lot more as a team and finishing thing out."
Morehead State shot 49.1 percent from the floor, 36.8 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the free-throw line. The Eagles held the advantage in assists, 21-12, and blocks, 6-2.
MSU had four players in double digits, led by Mackenzie Arledge with 17 points. Almesha Jones added 15, Aaliyah Wells had 14 and Shanice Parker finished with 11 points.
Belmont shot 45.5 percent from the hardwood, 44.4 percent from behind the three-point arc and a blistering season-best 95.7 percent from the charity stripe.
For a third consecutive game and sixth time this season, four Bruins finished in double figures. Luffman netted a game and career-high 25 points, including going 9-for-9 at the stripe. Mills added 13 points, including going 4-for-4 at the line. Carroll and Thompson each added 10 points. Joubran pulled down six rebounds.
Belmont returns to action at the Curb Event Center on February 10. The Bruins host Austin Peay beginning at 6 p.m. Fans can watch the game live on the OVC Digital Network and listen to Dr. Rich Tiner on the play-by-play call via the Bruins Sports Network. Live stats and an in-game Twitter feed (@BelmontWBB) will also be available.
