Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University women's basketball (13-7, 5-2 OVC) continued their win streak with an 85-60 victory over Tennessee State (9-11, 4-3 OVC). Bruins have won five straight conference games and now boast a 9-0 record in the Curb Event Center.
The Bruins had four players in double-digit points, sophomore Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) led the way with 18 points while also recording six rebounds, followed by junior Sierra Jones (Huntsville, Ala.) with 15, freshman Darby Maggard (Larwill, Ind.) with 12 ,and redshirt sophomore Kylee Smith (Alpharetta, Ga.) with 12. Junior Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.) finished the afternoon with eight rebounds and three steals. Junior Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.) also recorded three steals along with seven points.
A slow start for both teams was ended when McCabe hit a three two minutes into the first quarter. Tennessee State put up the next five points before two free throws from McCabe tied the game at five, which gave McCabe all five of the Bruins points so far in the first quarter. The Lady Tigers hit a three and Smith retaliated with five straight points which gave the Bruins the lead once again. Jones hit a last second jumper to end the first quarter tied at 14.
The Second quarter proved to be a back and forth battle between the two teams. With TSU up 27-21, freshman Jenny Roy (Brentwood, Tenn.) hit a layup and free throw which brought the Bruins within one. TSU responded with five straight and took a six point lead. A huge three from Maggard followed by two free throws from Smith which closed the gap to one once again. Two made free throws and a jumper from Jones ended the second quarter with the Bruins trailing by 1.
The third quarter started no different than the rest of the game as both teams traded baskets until an eight points run, Jones with four, put the Bruins up 49-43. TSU retaliated by taking the next five points but another seven points, with four from Joubran, put the Bruins back up by eight. A steal with 0:30 seconds left resulted in a layup from Jones closing out the third quarter up by seven.
The fourth quarter went scoreless for the first two minutes which was ended by a layup from Roy putting the Bruins on top by nine. TSU took the next four points but their run was ended by a jumper form McCabe. TSU hit a three but McCabe responded with the layup and one to keep the Bruins up by seven. TSU hit two straight layups and then it was all Bruins from there as Belmont went on a 13 point run. Both teams hit a handful of free throws to end the contest with the Bruins up by 15 taking home the victory.
The Bruins will have a week off until they head to Tennessee Tech on Saturday, Jan. 30 to face off with the Golden Eagles at 5:30 p.m. CT.
