TEMPE, Ariz. - - Belmont University men's basketball nearly pulled off a second straight high-profile road win, but dropped an 83-74 decision at Arizona State Monday night.
After defeating Marquette to open the season, the Bruins were looking to replicate their positive Pac-12 mojo from three years ago, when they beat Stanford at Maples Pavilion.
Seniors Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) and Jeff Laidig (Mishawaka, Ind.) were freshmen on that team, and would be counted on heavily again.
After a slow start, sophomore Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) capped an 8-0 Belmont run to give the Bruins a 10-6 lead four minutes in.
Bradshaw picked up his second personal foul at the 14:22 mark, taking Belmont out of its offensive rhythm.
Though both teams battled through fouls and disjointed play, a conventional three-point play from Luke and a three-pointer from from junior Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.) gave the Bruins a 19-16 lead midway through the first half.
But Belmont would endure a five minute field goal drought, hanging around with free throw shooting.
Three-pointers from Andre Spight and Maurice O'Field and two Gerry Blakes free throws gave Arizona State a 36-26 lead with three minutes left in the half.
Nevertheless, the Bruins held the Sun Devils scoreless thereafter, scoring the final six points of the half highlighted by another Luke basket.
Arizona State led 36-32 at halftime.
Belmont shot 29 percent (8-for-28) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 3-for-16 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced 11 first half turnovers, and went 13-for-16 from the free throw line.
Luke led Belmont with 13 first half points.
Encouraged by Coach Byrd to shake off the first half, execute, and play with confidence, Belmont roared out of the locker room.
Back-to-back three-pointers by Bradshaw and Smith and a transition layin from junior Taylor Barnette (Lexington, Ky.) pushed Belmont to a 42-38 lead with 17:09 remaining.
But after another Smith basket, Arizona State hit four three-pointers in a two and a half minute span - including three from Spight - to give the hosts a 52-48 lead with 13:54 to go.
The Bruins got timely bench production from sophomore Burton Sampson (Knoxville, Tenn.), whose five straight points got Belmont within 57-56 with 10:40 remaining.
But Blakes capped a 6-0 Sun Devil run to extend the margin to seven.
A conventional three-point play from junior Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) and a driving layin from Bradshaw got the Bruins back within two, 63-61, with 8:31 left.
But after an exchange of empty trips, Kodi Justice worked free for two straight three-pointers to bump the Arizona State lead back to eight, 69-61, with 5:06 remaining.
Belmont remained poised and resilient, as a Barnette three-pointer and scores from Luke and Bradds got the Bruins back within 69-68 with 3:27 left.
Bradds and sophomore Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) would draw consecutive charges to give Belmont a chance to regain the lead.
But under three minutes remaining, Bradshaw lost his balance turning the corner on a drive and was whistled for a traveling violation before releasing a pass.
From there, Savon Goodman made two free throws with 2:34 to go to push the margin back to three.
Following a contested Bradds shot rimmed off, Blakes got a fortuitous bounce on a straight-on bank shot from 12-feet to make the score 73-68.
Freshman Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.) would rim out a wing three-pointer on Belmont's next possession. But after the Bruins were awarded possession following a battle for the loose ball rebound, officials overturned the call after replay review and gave Arizona State possession with 1:39 remaining.
Blakes and Tra Holder would cap the Sun Devil 8-0 run and make the score 77-68 with 1:02 left.
Arizona State went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 49 seconds to secure the outcome.
All told, Belmont shot 38 percent (24-for-63) from the field - including just 8-for-31 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced 22 Sun Devil turnovers, but were only able to generate 16 points off those turnovers.
Luke led four Bruins in double figures with a career-high 17 points. He added eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. Bradshaw scored 12 points, while Bradds and Smith each added 11.
Blakes led Arizona State (1-1) with 22 points.
Belmont (1-1) returns to game action Wednesday, Nov. 18 versus Western Kentucky. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center.
The game will be broadcast live on the American Sports Network, and simulcast online on the OVC Digital Network. The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network.
