Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Despite some of its strongest play of the season, Belmont University men's basketball dropped a 79-66 decision to Middle Tennessee Wednesday night.
The final score was not indicative of the highly-competitive nature of the game - which featured four ties and eight lead changes in the second half - as Middle Tennessee went on a 10-0 run in the final 1:29 of the game.
Despite winning seven of the previous nine meetings with the talented and confident Blue Raiders, Belmont fought through an uneven start.
Nine empty trips to open the game coupled with assertive play from Reggie Upshaw dug the Bruins a 13-0 hole five minutes in.
A baseline 3-pointer from senior Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) got Belmont going, and through strong defense and rebounding, the Bruins worked back into the game.
Five points from sophomore Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) and a 3-pointer from junior Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) got Belmont within 22-19 at the 7:08 mark.
Following an Upshaw basket, five more points from senior Taylor Barnette (Lexington, Ky.) tied the score at 24 with 5:27 left in the half.
But from there, both teams grappled for scoring chances, with four Bradds points getting Belmont within 31-28 at halftime.
Belmont shot 39 percent (10-for-26) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 4-for-14 from 3-point distance. But the Bruins committed only five first half turnovers and held Middle Tennessee to 37 percent shooting.
All things considered, Belmont was well-positioned.
After JaCorey Williams scored two baskets to open the second half, four more Bradds points and a Luke wing 3-pointer notted the score at 35 with 17:59 remaining.
Both teams elevated their level of offensive execution and shotmaking in the second half, seemingly matching each other shot for shot.
Back-to-back threes from Barnette and another determined Bradds basket gave Belmont its first lead, 45-44, with 13:21 left.
Threes from Windler, Barnette, and senior Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.) pushed the Bruin edge to 56-52 with 10:05 remaining.
With Giddy Potts nursing fouls and Belmont gaining an offensive rhythm from multiple angles, the Bruins appeared poised to seize control.
But reserve guard Antwain Johnson provided the Blue Raiders a huge lift, with consecutive 3-pointers - he entered the game 2-for-16 from behind the arc on the season - keeping Middle Tennessee within one.
Johnson's spark seemed to elevate the Blue Raiders' defensive intensity, as a 2:41 Bruin drought coincided with a 9-0 Middle Tennessee run.
Williams capped the spurt to make the score 61-56 with 7:39 left.
But in a flash, consecutive 3-pointers from junior Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) and Windler put Belmont back on top, 62-61, with 6:51 to go.
Much like Johnson moments earlier, Middle Tennessee got bonus scoring from an unlikely source, as point guard Tyrik Dixon - who entered with 2 made 3-pointers and 29 points on the season - buried a wing 3-pointer to give the Blue Raiders a 64-62 lead.
After an exhange of stops, Upshaw scored a twisting, conventional 3-point play with 4:40 left to inch the Middle Tennessee lead to five.
Bradds continued his remarkably inspired play on both ends, with a reverse layin making the score 69-66 with 1:55 left.
But on the next possession, with Belmont leaning on Potts, Williams, and Upshaw, Dixon sank a crushing 3-pointer with 1:29 left to stretch the Middle Tennessee advantage to six.
After Windler rimmed out a 3-point reply, Belmont got stretched defensively and Potts seized the moment with a tack-on triple with 1:04 to go.
Four Potts free throws provided the final margin.
All told, Belmont shot 44 percent (24-for-54) from the field - including 12-for-29 from 3-point distance. Belmont outrebounded Middle Tennessee, 32-31.
Bradds led four Bruins in double figures with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Barnette scored 14 while Windler added 11 points and six rebounds. Luke had 10.
Reggie Upshaw led Middle Tennessee (10-1) with 21 points.
Belmont (4-4) returns to game action Saturday, Dec. 17 at Green Bay. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and WatchESPN. The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTES: Belmont had won 80 of its previous 85 home games, dating back to 2010 ... Bradds recorded his 24th career double-double and has 1,489 career points ... Redshirt freshman Seth Adelsperger made his first career field goal in the first half.
