Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Belmont women's basketball team used a complete effort on both sides of the ball to knock off No. 6 Jacksonville State on Friday at the OVC Tournament. Fueled by a banner day by junior Katie Carroll (Lilburn, Ga.), the No. 2 seeded Bruins (14-16) advanced to the Finals with a handy defeat of the Gamecocks (14-18), 65-50.
The Bruins jumped out to a 9-0 run to open the third meeting of the season between the programs and did not relinquish the lead for the duration. JSU used a triple to trim the Bruin lead to three, 15-12, by the 11 minute mark but baskets by Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.) and junior Katie Carroll (Lilburn, Ga.) stretched the BU lead once again.
Using an 11-0 run, capped by a triple by Carroll from the left corner, the Bruins grabbed their first double digit lead of the game 24-14, with just over seven minutes left on the clock. Belmont blew its first half lead up to as many as 16 before successive trips to the line by Candace Morton moved the Gamecocks to within nine, 32-23, finishing a 7-0 run with two minutes left before the break. However, the Bruins continued to pile on the points in the waning minutes, taking a 37-25 lead into the locker room.
The Bruins resumed their hot shooting and stingy defense to open the second stanza. Belmont used a 7-0 run to pull away 46-29 by the 15:19 mark behind shots by redshirt freshman Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.), sophomore Blair Bryce (Red Oak, Texas), junior Taylor Mills (Corryton, Tenn.) and a three by junior Jordyn Luffman (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.).
Belmont continued to roll and build a 22-point advantage, 56-34, behind back-to-back treys by Carroll, and buckets by Luffman and a pair at the stripe by junior Adrienne Tarrence (Bowling Green, Ky.). Jacksonville State showed signs of life around the five minute mark and put together a 10-2 run to move within 13, 60-47, but that would be as close as it would come.
Two minutes later, the Bruins began using the clock to their advantage with a slowed pace that saw them continue to score from the stripe and the hardwood. JSU netted a three pointer with eight seconds remaining on the clock but the stretch of free throws by Joubran and Tarrence, capped with a jumper by junior Torie Vaught (Maryville, Tenn.) sealed the 65-50 win.
Jacksonville State shot 32.1 percent from the floor, 28.6 percent from three-point range and 90.9 percent from the free-throw line.
The Gamecocks were led in scoring by Candace Morton, who contributed 16 points. Destany McLin added 10 points in the effort.
Belmont shot 40 percent from the hardwood, 28.6 from behind the three-point arc and 84.6 percent from the charity stripe. The Bruins held the advantage in rebounds, 45-32, assists, 17-13, blocks, 3-2, and steals, 4-1. BU also tallied a season-low six turnovers in the win.
Belmont was led in scoring by Carroll, who scored a career-high 23 points and matched her career-best from behind the arc with five. Luffman pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds. Thompson dropped in 10 points and notched a game-high two blocks. Mills collected six assists while Tarrence collected a game-high two steals.
The Bruins return to action on Saturday afternoon at Nashville's Municipal Auditorium where they face off against No. 1 UT Martin. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m.
