Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University women's basketball (11-7, 3-2 OVC) moved to 8-0 at home this season with an 88-82 victory over Austin Peay (5-13, 3-2 OVC).
"I am so proud of my team! I thought we did a great job fighting down the stretch and keeping our energy high throughout the whole game!" said Maggard. "Every single one of us contributed to this wim, and I just love competing out there with this team. They are amazing!"
Three Bruins scored at least 20 points, led by freshman Darby Maggard (Larwill, Ind.) with 24, redshirt sophomore Kylee Smith (Alpharetta, Ga.) with 21 and sophomore Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) with 20. McCabe also led the way with seven rebounds while Maggard recorded a double-double adding 10 assists.
"This game was a huge win for us, they have been playing so well in conference this far and to come out with this win is so big for us," said McCabe. "We really dug deep tonight and we showed some toughness towards the end especially."
For the first three minutes of the game Belmont held Austin Peay scoreless while the Bruins knocked down the first seven points of the game, Smith hit a three to open up play followed by a layup from Maggard and one from junior Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.). Both teams traded baskets but three straight 3s from McCabe, freshman Jenny Roy (Brentwood, Tenn.) and Smith put the Bruins up 18-5. The Bruins and Lady Governors continued to trade baskets to end the first quarter with Belmont leading 24-14.
A slower second quarter had the Bruins to only 13 points. A quick start in the first quarter allowed the Bruins to stay up by five at the half. Five Bruins recorded points in the second quarter, freshman Ellie Harmeyer (Kenosha, Wisc.) (2), McCabe (4), Smith (3), Roy (1) and Maggard closed out the half with one last 3.
Smith, Roy and Maggard accounted for all but two of the Bruins 22 points in the third quarter, with junior Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.) knocking down a layup for the other two points. 16 of Austin Peay's 26 third quarter points came from Tiasha Gray.
An early layup from Banks gave Austin Peay their first lead of the game when they went up 62-61. In the first half of the fourth quarter McCabe knocked down 12 points, add in a layup from Joubran as the Bruins took a 72-69 lead. A steal from Smith followed up with a huge three from Maggard gave the Bruins the momentum they needed to close out the game. 20 second later Smith hit another three to give the Bruins a seven point lead. Maggard came in clutch with a second three which put the Bruins up by four with a minute left to play. Maggard proceeded to knock down four free throws to hold the Bruin lead and take home the victory.
"It was another great effort by the whole team and it was fun to play tonight!" said McCabe. " We had another great crowd which helped keep our energy level up!"
Austin Peay's Gray recorded 38 of the teams 82 points in the game.
The Bruins shot 50.0% from three in the game.
Belmont hits the road once again as they head to Jacksonville state for a mid-day showdown on Wednesday, Jan.20. Tip-off is set for 11:30 a.m. CT.
