Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind a 22-8 scoring run to open the second half, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Jacksonville State, 81-73, Wednesday night.
A three-pointer from sophomore Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) capped an 8-0 run to give Belmont a 15-7 lead five and a half minutes in.
The lead increased to 11, 37-26, on a layin from junior Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio).
But Jacksonville State scored the final seven points of the half, highlighted by a three-pointer from JaQuail Townser right before the first half buzzer to narrow the margin to 37-33.
Junior Taylor Barnette (Lexington, Ky.) sparked Belmont out of the locker room, sinking a trio of three-pointers in the first 3:19 of the second half to push the Bruins to a 52-41 lead with 16:41 left.
In fact, Belmont would make its first six three-point field goals of the second 20 minutes, extending the margin to 18, 59-41, on an Egekeze basket.
But behind the play of Townser and reserve Ed Jones - who matched his season total of 18 points all in one evening - the Gamecocks got as close as 66-64 with 6:17 remaining.
From there, Belmont held Jacksonville State scoreless for nearly four minutes, with Egekeze punctuating a 10-0 Bruin run with a tip-slam.
All told, Belmont shot 53 percent (31-for-58) from the field - including 12-for-22 from three-point distance.
Bradds led four Bruins in double figures with 18 points and nine rebounds. Barnette added 15 points and a career-high seven assists, while Egekeze had 15 points and five rebounds. The Bruins handed out 21 assists on 31 made field goals.
Greg Tucker led Jacksonville State (8-19, 4-8 OVC) with 19 points.
Belmont (18-8, 10-2 OVC) returns to game action Saturday, Feb. 13 at Morehead State. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network and 104.5 The Zone.
NOTES: Belmont outscored Jacksonville State 36-16 in the paint ... Belmont outscored Jacksonville State 21-8 in points off turnovers ... Bradds came one rebound shy of an 11th double double in his last 16 games ... Egekeze went 6-for-6 from three field and added three steals ... Mercer had nine points in eight minutes.
