Box Score MILWAUKEE, Wis. - - 83-80. It's a score Belmont Basketball fans have come to know and love. And after opening night, it's a score they won't soon forget.
With its trademark poise and intestinal fortitude on full display, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Marquette, 83-80, Friday night in the opening game of the Legends Classic.
Two years separated from another signature moment in program history - the Bruins' triumph over six-time National Champion North Carolina by the same score - Belmont would orchestrate another inspired performance at one of college basketball's most storied and respected programs.
Setting the stage, Belmont welcomed back 11 letterwinners to a team that won the OVC Championship and nearly took down ACC Champion Virginia in the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
Meanwhile, Marquette boasted a highly-touted incoming freshmen class, highlighted by projected NBA lottery pick Henry Ellenson.
Though fans had to wait nearly eight months for game action, time virtually seemed to stand still, with Belmont senior Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) simply picking up where he left off from his courageous March Madness performance in Charlotte.
Perhaps channeling his inner Stephen Curry - coincidentally teammate of former Belmont great Ian Clark - Bradshaw set the tone 16 seconds into the game, comfortably burying a jaw-dropping three-pointer from near the midcourt Marquette logo.
Another deep Bradshaw three-pointer moments later gave the Bruins a 6-4 lead 2:11 in.
A conventional three-point play from junior Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.) - following strong offensive rebounding effort from freshman Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) extended the Bruin lead to 11-8 at the 15:36 mark.
Belmont found a willing running mate in Marquette, as an uptempo, end-to-end affair materialized early.
Two more highlight reel three-pointer from Bradshaw pushed Belmont to a 23-17 lead nine minutes in, before consecutive three-pointers from Sandy Cohen III stabilized things for the Golden Eagles.
A driving layin from Haanif Cheatham gave Marquette a 27-25 edge.
Freshman Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.) would answer with a remarkable four-point play to help Belmont regain the lead.
Marquette led 37-33 following a Duane Wilson layin before the Bruins closed the half on a 14-3 run.
Junior Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio), who went scoreless the opening 14 minutes of the game, more than made up for lost time by leading a Belmont scoring burst.
After a Smith layin prompted a Marquette timeout, amazingly McClain delivered his second four-point play of his college debut to stretch the Bruin lead to six, 43-37, with 1:31 left in the half.
Then after two more Bradds baskets and a defensive stop, Belmont nearly took a double-figure lead to the locker room, but after a Bradshaw set up, Smith rimmed out a transition three-pointer at the horn.
Belmont led 47-40 at halftime.
Belmont shot 49 percent (18-for-37) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 8-for-21 from three-point distance. The Bruins outrebounded the formidable Golden Eagles, 22-21, in the first half, and won second chance points, 17-9.
Bradds and Bradshaw each scored 12 first half points.
Belmont held Marquette scoreless the first 3:17 of the second half, using baskets from Bradds and Bradshaw to increase the lead to 11, 51-40.
After a Smith three-pointer gave the Bruins a 56-45 lead, the hosts answered with an 11-0 run over a 2:22 span. A Wilson basket tied the score at 56.
But Smith once again provided a response, sinking a baseline three-pointer.
Marquette worked into the bonus with 13:17 left in regulation, earning a number of free throw opportunities.
But with Bradds carrying the offensive torch, Belmont remained well-positioned; neither team led by more than one possession for a six minute stretch.
Following two Bradds free throws, Bradshaw capped a crazy sequence - where he and Taylor Barnette (Lexington, Ky.) salvaged a seemingly lost transition chance - with a wing three-pointer to give Belmont a 70-65 lead with 6:49 to go.
McClain added a clutch teardrop in the lane, and after conseuctive interior baskets from Bradds and sophomore Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.), the Bruins led 76-67 with 4:49 remaining.
Marquette had one more final push.
Five straight points from Ellenson and a baseline three-pointer from Wilson trimmed the Bruin lead to one, 76-75, with 3:17 left.
After Egekeze and Ellenson exchanged empty trips to the free throw line, Barnette buried a deep three-pointer late in the shot clock to push the Belmont lead to 79-75 with 2:13 remaining.
Cohen would answer with a baseline three-pointer of his own, and following a rare Bradds miss, Wilson rimmed home a 12-footer to give the hosts an 80-79 lead with 1:23 to go.
Then, Bradshaw would miss a contested drive - and stay down on the baseline in discomfort apparently injured - as Marquette raced into the frontcourt with a 5 on 4 advantage.
Wilson elected to take an open three-pointer with 47 seconds left, which Bradds rebounded.
From there, officials halted play to allow Belmont head athletic trainer Paul Malloy to attend to Bradshaw.
Though the senior All-America candidate was able to get to his feet under his own power, because play was stopped, he was forced to leave the game.
In need of a score - and with its leading scorer on the sidelines - sophomore point guard Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) delivered.
Luke attacked the lane and drew a Marquette foul with 28 seconds remaining.
As the ninth team foul on the Golden Eagles in the second half, Luke was awarded one plus the bonus.
He proceeded to calmly sink both free throws to give Belmont an 81-80 lead.
After a Marquette timeout, and strategic substitutions from both sides, the Golden Eagles turned to Ellenson. As the freshman forward drove the right side of the lane, Bradds slid over and drew a charge with 14 seconds remaining.
Marquette proceeded to foul Bradshaw, who made one free throw with 12 seconds left to extend the margin to two.
Traci Carter raced into the frontcourt, but lost control of possession as he went baseline and possession was awarded to Belmont with seven seconds left.
After another foul, Luke had an opportunity to put the game away.
He calmly made the first free throw, but the second rimmed out.
Wilson's attempt to tie from 28 feet at the horn was long.
All told, Belmont shot 46 percent (30-for-66) from the field, including 12-for-34 from three-point distance. The Bruins handed out 23 assists on 30 made field goals.
Bradds led four Bruins in double figures with a career-high tying 24 points. He added nine rebounds. Bradshaw had 18 points, five assists and four rebounds, while Smith added 14.
McClain scored 10 points.
Ellenson led Marquette (0-1) with 21 points.
Belmont (1-0) returns to action Monday, Nov. 16 at Arizona State. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. CT.
The game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network and the Bruin Sports Network.
NOTE: Belmont hands Marquette its first season-opening loss since 2000-01 ... The Bruins claim their second victory over the Big East Conference, defeating Butler prior ... This marks Bradds' third career 24-point game ... Luke tallies nine assists and one turnover in his first career start ... Belmont outscored Marquette, 24-18, off the bench ... Bradshaw's first four three-pointers covered an approximate 107 feet, all coming from well behind NBA range.
