Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Belmont women's basketball team (7-14, 4-4 OVC) dug in its heels and battled to the final seconds of regulation for its third consecutive victory on Saturday evening. The Bruins knocked off crosstown rival Tennessee State (8-10, 5-2 OVC), 64-62. The win, which was the first for Belmont at Gentry Center since the 2007-08 season, improves BU to 4-4 in the OVC.
TSU used a three pointer from the top of the arc to go up, 10-6, taking advantage of an early icy spell by the Bruins. Finally, after nearly four minutes, back-to-back jumpers by sophomore Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.) and freshman Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) helped get BU back into the game and close the gap to one, 11-10, with just over 12 minutes on the clock.
Belmont continued to chip away at the Lady Tiger lead and by the eight and a half minute mark, behind a trey by Sierra Jones (Huntsville, Ala.) and a free throw by sophomore Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.), the Bruins were down by one, 17-16. BU dug in its heels and saw Jones net another triple from the same spot outside the arc to knot the score at 19, two minutes later. A trifecta from the top of the arc by senior Torie Vaught (Maryville, Tenn.) gave BU its first lead of the contest, 22-19, and Joubran followed with a pair at the stripe to expand the advantage to five points by the 5:37 mark.
Vaught banked in a trey with 21 ticks remaining in the half and forced back-to-back turnovers for the Lady Tigers as the clock neared expiration. Belmont tried to hold for the final shot but the attempt rolled around the rim and popped out sending the teams to their respective locker rooms with BU leading, 31-29.
After the break, the Lady Tigers opened the half on a 5-0 run to go up, 34-31. Belmont remained silent from the hardwood over the same span before Vaught knocked down her third three pointer of the contest to tie the game at 34 with 16:06 remaining on the clock. After the teams traded baskets and forced three ties, the Bruins began surging around the 12 minute mark.
With a flurry of points coming from senior Jordyn Luffman-Hartsfield (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) and McCabe, Joubran went on to convert a three-point opportunity to put Belmont back on top, 47-46, three minutes later. Firing on all cylinders, Luffman-Hartsfield followed with another three pointer, forcing a stunned Lady Tiger bench burned a time out to regroup.
The teams resumed trading baskets down the stretch, pushing the teams to a 10th tie, this time at 52, with 5:46 left in regulation. However, Belmont grabbed the lead on a pair of McCabe free throws and refused to relinquish the advantage. The final minute of regulation was played at a fast and furious pace. TSU came away with a pair of steals that opened the door to back-to-back three pointers that made it a two-point game, 64-62, with 39 seconds left.
Suddenly, the Lady Tigers found their rim capped and was unable to score a game-tying field goal over the next 20 seconds. Belmont was fouled on a rebound attempt but was unable to hit either at the stripe with 8.9 seconds left. Tennessee State called its final timeout and attempted to set up for a three pointer to win the game. However, the shot attempt was short and right of the rim, securing the 64-62 victory for the Bruins.
Tennessee State shot 34.4 percent from the floor, 36.0 percent from three-point range and 69.2 percent from the free-throw line. The Lady Tigers held the advantage in blocks, 4-2, and steals, 12-0.
TSU was led in scoring by Chelsea Hudson, who notched a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Brianna Lawrence added 15 points.
Belmont shot 45.5 percent from the hardwood, 44.4 percent from behind the three-point arc and 55.2 percent from the charity stripe. The Bruins held the advantage in rebounds, 41-32, and assists, 14-12.
McCabe led the Bruins with a career and game-high 18 points. Joubran added 14 while Luffman-Hartsfield contributed 13 points. Joubran led the team in rebounds with eight. McCabe also finished with a pair of blocks.
Belmont returns to action on Saturday, January 31 at the Curb Event Center. The Bruins host in-state rival Tennessee Tech beginning at 4 p.m. Fans in attendance can help BU claim the Guinness World Record for most pieces of candy opened simultaneously during a halftime promotion. Each participating fan will receive a Goo Goo Cluster.
