NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - In one of its most complete performances of the season, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Morehead State, 86-63, in the OVC semifinal round Friday night.
The two teams played a pair of hotly-contested games during the regular season, including a heart-stopping affair Jan. 29 in Morehead that saw the Bruins rally from seven points down with 1:12 remaining to win 76-73.
After claiming a fifth consecutive regular season conference championship this past Saturday, Belmont got off to a positive start. A short jumper from sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) 15 seconds in opened the scoring.
Consecutive three-pointers from Bradshaw and senior Drew Windler (South Milwaukee, Wis.) increased the Bruin lead to 8-3 four minutes in.
But moments later, point guard Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) would pick up his second personal foul, forcing the Belmont floor general to the sidelines.
Undeterred, the Bruins got quality bench contributions to maintain a modest lead.
After Angelo Warner tied the score at 14, Belmont would use strong defense and patient offense to build a working margin.
Senior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) capped a 10-2 Bruin run with a thunderous one-hand slam to give the Bruins a 26-16 lead with 5:14 left in the half.
The Eagles would close to six, 28-22, before the Bruin bench sparked another mini spurt. A steal from junior Holden Mobley (Nashville, Tenn.) resulted in a baseline three-pointer from freshman Caleb Chowbay (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) as Belmont claimed a 35-22 edge with 1:28 left in the half.
Belmont led 35-25 at halftime.
Belmont shot 46 percent (11-for-24) from the field in the opening 20 minutes – including 5-for-11 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced eight first half turnovers, and more than held their own on the boards against the nation's fifth-best team in rebound margin.
Mann led Belmont with 10 first half points.
A Mann three-pointer 40 seconds into the second half increased the lead to 13.
Kareem Storey got Morehead State within 38-29, before six quick points from freshman Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.) extended the Bruin lead to 46-30 with 16:40 left.
Belmont continued to showcase tough, united halfcourt defense, which led to open court scoring opportunities. Back-to-back three-pointers from Windler made the score 58-39 with 12:46 remaining.
Jenkins and Smith combined on 12 points during a 16-6 run over a four-minute stretch that gave the Bruins a 76-50 lead with 4:58 left.
Belmont exhibited poise and patience down the stretch to close out the team victory.
All told, Belmont shot 53 percent (27-for-51) from the field – including 11-for-24 from three-point distance. The Bruins had 22 assists on 27 made field goals.
Belmont outrebounded Morehead State, 32-31, becoming just the second team to outrebound the Eagles this season.
Mann led five Bruins in double figures with 16 points and five assists. Jenkins had 13 points and six rebounds. Bradshaw, Smith and freshman Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) each scored 11.
Windler and Chamberlain each had 9.
Warner and Brent Arrington led Morehead State (20-13) with 15 points each.
Belmont (24-8) returns to game action Saturday, March 8 in the OVC Championship game. The Bruins will play either Murray State or Eastern Kentucky.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT from Nashville Municipal Auditorium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and the WatchESPN app.
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.
