Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - The 3-point line has been so good to Belmont, for so long.
On this night, it betrayed them.
The Bruins battled through a perplexing off night from behind the arc in dropping an 80-66 decision at Vanderbilt Tuesday night.
Belmont, which ranked fourth nationally in three-point field goals per game (10.6) last season, went just 1-for-18 from long distance in the opening 20 minutes in trailing 36-21 at halftime.
But behind the inspired play of junior Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) and senior All-America candidate Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio), Belmont stormed back into the game.
A defensive stop and a conventional three-point play from Egekeze got the Bruins off and running in the second half.
After one Luke Kornet free throw, a 3-pointer from junior Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) trimmed the margin to 10, 37-27, with 19:07 left.
Jeff Roberson capped a 6-0 Commodore reply, as Belmont head coach Rick Byrd extended the Bruin bench and substitution patterns in an attempt to lengthen the game.
After a transition 3-pointer from Camron Justice made the score 48-32 with 15:16 left, Belmont held Vanderbilt without a field goal for over nine minutes.
Meanwhile, Belmont briefly caught fire, as consecutive 3-pointers from sophomore Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.), Bradds, and Egekeze pushed the Bruins within four, 62-58, with 6:50 remaining.
A lively Belmont support section erupted in cheers as the Bruins felt poised to get over the hump.
However, following a timeout, the Commodores got an off-balance, 4-point play from Matthew Fisher-Davis to push the margin back to eight points.
It was a true turning point play.
Belmont twice got within six points thereafter, but could get no closer.
Belmont outscored Vanderbilt in the paint, 28-24, however, the Commodores outshot the Bruins from the charity stripe, 31-13 - including 23-for-27 in the second half.
The Bruins committed only nine turnovers in an uptempo game, and claimed 10 offensive rebounds.
But the 9-for-41 numbers from 3-point range told the tale; the program's second-worst single-game shooting performance from distance of the NCAA Division I era (7-for-43 at Eastern Illinois, 1/10/15).
Bradds led Belmont with 19 points, while Egekeze scored 18.
Luke Kornet led Vanderbilt (1-1) with 20 points.
Belmont (0-1) returns to action Saturday vs. Western Kentucky.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center.
Limited tickets remain; to purchase contact 615-460-BALL or click HERE.
NOTES: Belmont wore alternate red uniforms for the first time in program history; Belmont traditionally wears Belmont 'Blue' on the road and 'White' at home ... With Iona facing Florida State at 7 p.m. ET, Belmont was the final team in college basketball to open the season.
