Box Score CLINTON, S.C.-Squaring off with Presbyterian (2-8) in its final non-conference game, the Belmont University women's basketball team (8-5) picked up an 83-58 victory Thursday afternoon at the Templeton Center.
Belmont led 39-28 at the half, but 15-of-20 (75.0%) shooting from the floor in the second half powered the Bruins to a convincing road victory. Three Bruins finished in double figures led by 20 points from redshirt-junior Kylee Smith (Alpharetta, Ga.). Smith knocked down three three-pointers and dished out six assists.
Belmont outrebounded PC, 39-17 and shot 7-of-13 (53.8%) from three-point land. Senior Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.) finished with 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks while Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) scored 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
"Very proud of our focus and effort on the road in our last non-conference appearance before the Christmas Holiday. We had a challenge of guarding four and five guards on the floor at one time, I thought our team did a great job playing as a defensive unit. Offensively we shared the ball pretty well and did a good job of exploiting some mismatches we had. Looking forward to refocusing on a new season after the holiday break and we're excited to see where our conference season goes," said Belmont Head Coach Cameron Newbuaer after the game.
With its victory over Presbyterian, the Bruins finished the non-league portion of their schedule at 8-5 which ties last season's 8-5 mark for the best record in non-conference action since the 2008-09 season.
After Presbyterian struck first and claimed a 3-0 lead, the Bruins countered by outscoring the Blue Hose 17-6 the rest of the opening quarter. Belmont held a significant advantage on the boards, outrebounding PC 15-4 in the first which included six offensive rebounds. Six different Bruins scored a point in the stanza, paced by five from Smith.
Smith's 20 points were her most since scoring 29 against LMU on Nov. 26.
"There's nothing better than finishing the non-conference season on the road with a W. We now get to go home, spend time with our families, recharge and then we will be back at it ready for our conference season," said Smith after the game.
Belmont opened the second quarter scorching hot from the three-point line, converting on its first three attempts from deep and stretched its lead to as large as 18 points, leading 31-13 with 5:45 to go in the quarter. PC then mounted a rally of its own, outscoring Belmont 15-9 for the remainder of the quarter and trimmed the gap to 39-28 heading into the intermission. Smith led all scorers at the break, pouring in 11 points. The Bruins finished the half 13-of-30 from the floor but shot 6-of-10 from three-point land. Belmont owned the boards in the first, holding a 25-7 edge and the Bruins also moved the ball well, assisting on 11 of their 13 made field goals. Thompson checked in with eight points and five rebounds and was the primary post presence in the first half for Belmont.
The Bruins opened up the second half on a 9-0 run and came out of the break reenergized. McCabe scored eight points in first five minutes of the quarter as the Bruins made a concerted effort to find the junior postplayer. Outscoring the Blue Hose 26-10 in the third, the Bruins took control of the game and carried a 65-38 lead heading into the final period. McCabe finished with 10 points in the quarter and Belmont shot a blistering 8-of-10 from the floor and 10-of-12 from the free throw line. During this pivotal stretch, Belmont scored 16 points in the paint and committed just one turnover.
Playing just four minutes in the fourth quarter, Smith scored seven points on 3-of-3 shooting from the floor, helping the Bruins extend their lead. Again in the fourth, the Bruins shot very well from the field, knocking down seven of their 10 attempts in the final quarter.
12 Bruins saw time in the game and 11 players scored a point. Belmont finished with 13 second chance points and outscored PC's bench, 24-19. Jenny Roy (Brentwood, Tenn.) added nine points and eight rebounds.
With her seven first half rebounds, senior Frankie Joubran (Goodrich, Mich.) eclipsed the 800 rebound mark in her career (802). Joubran finished with six points and seven rebounds in 16 minutes of action.
The Bruins now break for the holiday season and won't return to the court until Dec. 29 when they travel to Eastern Illinois to kick off their conference campaign.
