Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Despite a strong comeback effort late in the second half, the Belmont women's basketball team (4-11, 1-1 OVC) fell in the OVC Championship rematch with in-state rival UT Martin (5-9, 1-0 OVC) on Saturday afternoon at the Curb Event Center. The Bruins fell to the visiting Skyhawks, 85-68, and slipped to 1-1 in the early conference season.
Physicality earmarked the opening stanza in the OVC championship game rematch, with both teams battling early and often for every loose ball and rebound. The teams traded baskets for the first seven minutes before senior Jordyn Luffman-Hartsfield (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) drained back-to-back three pointers from the left side of the arc to open up a 13-2 run that was capped by a steal by senior Taylor Mills (Corryton, Tenn.) and a fast break layup by rookie Sierra Jones (Huntsville, Ala.).
UTM fired a trio of triples to close the gap to one point, 25-24, with 7:32 left on the clock, forcing the Bruins to call timeout. After the brief break in the action, the Skyhawks continued to fire on all cylinders, putting together a staggering 18-0 run to take a 36-25 lead by the 3:17 mark. Finally, a trifecta by Luffman-Hartsfield broke the ice off the BU rim on the next possession, halting a seven minute drought. It was enough to spark the Bruins and they doubled down on their defensive efforts in the waning minutes. UT Martin used a quick flurry to close the half and sent the teams to their respective locker rooms separated by 12 points, 43-31.
After the break, the Bruins immediately went to work to narrow the gap. A skyhook and a converted three-point play by freshman Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) moved BU to within nine, 51-40, three minutes into the half. UTM bounced back into form and used a 9-2 run to go up, 63-48, with 11:48 remaining on the clock. However, Belmont had one more surge left in it collectively before the final buzzer.
By the 6:44 mark, the Bruins had moved to within eight, 70-62, after a pair of free throws and a three pointer by senior Katie Carroll (Lilburn, Ga.). BU worked to maintain the single digit deficit for the next two minutes. Unfortunately, the Skyhawks built another run in the waning minutes, this one 7-0, to pull away 79-64 with just under four minutes left on the clock. Belmont was only able to whittle the difference down to 15 as UT Martin used the clock to its advantage in the final moments of regulation. A layup by sophomore Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.) would be Belmont's final time finding the bottom of the net as UTM went on to take the contest, 85-68.
The Skyhawks shot 55.2 percent from the floor, 50 percent from three-point range and 78.6 percent from the free-throw line. UTM held the advantage in blocks, 3-1, and steals, 6-3.
UT Martin saw four players reach double figures, led by Ashia Jones' 18 points. Chelsea Roberts added 13 points while Jessy Ward and Haley Howard contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Belmont shot 36.6 percent from the hardwood, 37 percent from behind the three-point arc and 54.5 percent from the charity stripe. BU held the advantage in rebounds, 42-33, and assists, 20-18.
Four Bruins reached double digits in scoring, led by Carroll with 14 points. McCabe and Jones each contributed 13 points, followed by Luffman-Hartsfield with 12. Senior Blair Bryce (Red Oak, Texas) and Joubran each pulled down nine rebounds. Senior Adrienne Tarrence (Bowling Green, Ky.) finished with a game-high seven assists.
Belmont returns to action on Tuesday, January 6 at the Curb Event Center, wrapping a four game homestand. The Bruins host SIUE beginning at 6 p.m. The matchup can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network and can be heard live via the internet on the Bruins Sports Network. Live stats and an in-game Twitter feed (@BelmontWBB) will also be available.
