Box Score CHARLESTON, Ill. -- The Belmont women's basketball team's (4-13, 1-3 OVC) effort fell just short on the road Saturday afternoon. The Bruins were held off at Eastern Illinois (6-11, 3-1 OVC), 77-72, slipping to 1-3 in conference play.
The teams opened their sixth meeting trading baskets before the Bruins pulled ahead, 7-4, with points coming from senior Blair Bryce (Red Oak, Texas) and a pair at the charity stripe by classmate Katie Carroll (Lilburn, Ga.). BU surged ahead, 18-13, by the 10:31 mark after fast work in the paint by freshman Sierra Jones (Huntsville, Ala.) and the first of three triples by senior Jordyn Luffman-Hartsfield (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.). EIU answered back and used a jumper to grab its first lead of the half, 19-18, with eight and a half minutes left on the clock but the Bruins regained the lead behind a converted three point opportunity by Jones fifteen seconds later.
The contest turned into a three-point contest as the Bruins closed the lane for the Panthers. BU was able to pull ahead, 25-19, with just over five minutes left on the clock. Eastern Illinois began to chip away at the lead and managed to close the gap to one point, 34-33, with 90 seconds left. However, the Bruins pressed in and staved off the Panther surge to take a 38-35 lead into the locker room.
After the break, the Bruins continued to press defensively, thwarting several early EIU rallies that knotted the score five times by the 13 minute mark. Belmont used an 8-2 run, composed of six straight points by sophomore Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.) and a jumper in the lane by classmate Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.), to move ahead, 61-54, for its largest lead of the afternoon. The Panthers began to chip away at the Bruin lead, putting together its own 8-2 run to move within one possession 64-62, with just under six minutes left in regulation.
Belmont held on to its lead until Oroszova exploded for 10 consecutive points to put EIU on top, 72-66, with 1:54 on the clock as BU struggled to emerge from a scoring drought that ticked into five minutes. The Panthers were content to burn the clock in the waning minutes after back-to-back trips to the stripe gave them their biggest lead of the day, 10 points, 76-66. Despite Carroll and Joubran finding the bottom of the net for a combined six points, the Belmont comeback fell just shy as EIU held on for the 77-72 win.
Eastern Illinois shot 48.2 percent from the floor, 56.3 percent from three-point range and 73.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Panthers held the advantage in rebounds, 38-29, and blocks, 8-5.
EIU was led in scoring by Sabina Oroszova, who netted a game-high 24 points. Erica Brown, Grace Lennox and Bh'rea Griffin each had 11 points, followed by Arnisha Thomas with 10. Brown also had a team and game-high 10 rebounds.
Belmont shot 48.3 percent from the hardwood, 46.2 percent from behind the three-point arc and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe. The Bruins held the advantage in assists, 16-15, and steals, 5-2.
Jones netted a team and career-high 15 points in the effort. Also reaching double figures were Joubran with 12, Luffman-Hartsfield with 11 and Carroll and Thompson with 10 points apiece. Joubran led the Bruins with six rebounds. Jones also notched a career and game-high high eight assists and two steals.
Belmont returns to action on Thursday, January 15, continuing its three-game road stretch. The Bruins stop at in-state rival Austin Peay with tipoff slated for 5:15 p.m. The contest can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network and heard live via the internet on the Bruins Sports Network. Live stats and an in-game Twitter feed (@BelmontWBB) will also be available.
