Box Score MOREHEAD, Ky. - - Belmont University men's basketball dropped a 78-77 decision at Morehead State Saturday afternoon.
Belmont had won seven of the previous eight meetings, but with four of the last five meetings - including a 73-67 victory nine days earlier - coming down to the wire, another close game was expected in the series.
Focused and purposeful from the opening tip, the Bruins got four points from junior Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) and a three-pointer from junior Taylor Barnette (Lexington, Ky.) to take an early 7-0 lead.
Two three-pointers from senior Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) increased the lead to seven, 17-10, at the 13:59 mark.
But of greater note, Belmont displayed some of its finest and most unified defense of the season. After a basket from Eagle forward Ronnye Beamon, Belmont held Morehead State to two field goals over an eight and a half minute stretch.
Meanwhile, with sophomore point guard Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) orchestrating the Belmont offense, the Bruins got a basket from sophomore Mack Mercer (Plymouth, Ind.) and seven free throws to extend the margin to 32-16 with 5:37 left in the half.
Despite Bradds being relegated to the bench with foul trouble, Belmont rode Bradshaw and Mercer to maintain a double figure lead.
Two more Bradshaw baskets in the final minute of the half gave Belmont a 43-29 lead at halftime.
Belmont shot 54 percent (13-for-24) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 10-for-13 from inside the arc. The Bruins took advantage to strong inside play to earn trips to the free throw line as well, going 14-for-16 from the stripe in the first half.
Bradshaw led Belmont with 18 first half points.
It truly was one of the most complete halves of the season for the Bruins, playing spirited and together on both ends.
Six points from Bradds in the first four minutes of the second half helped Belmont maintain a 53-42 lead with 15:35 remaining.
But Brent Arrington caught fire for the Eagles, making a series of contested twos and threes to work the hosts back into the game.
Meanwhile, after a conventional three-point play from Bradshaw gave Belmont a 59-46 lead with 14:33 left, the Bruins proceeded to endure their worst scoring drought of the season - at the most inopportune time.
With chilly temperatures outside seemingly working their way into Johnson Arena to cool down Belmont, Morehead State chipped away.
Anthony Elechi capped a 15-0 run to give Morehead State a 61-59 lead with 8:08 left.
Sophomore Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) ended the scoreless stretch with one free throw, before free throws and a DeJuan Marrero thee-point play pushed the Eagles to a 68-62 lead with 4:51 to go.
After scores from Mercer and Marrero, Barnette buried a wing three-pointer with 3:59 left to get the Bruins within 70-67.
Barnette would deliver once more to tie the score at 71 with 3:01 left.
After Arrington and Bradds traded free throws, Belmont forced Elechi into a contested jumper late in the shot clock. But Egekeze was deemed to have fouled Marrero battling for the rebound with 1:22 remaining.
As Egekeze fouled out, Marrero made two free throws to put Morehead State up 75-73.
A gorgeous backdoor feed from Luke to Bradshaw led to a conventional three-point play opportunity for Belmont with 1:07 remaining.
Bradshaw's free throw to give the Bruins the lead rimmed off, however, Elechi fell out of bounds with the rebound, giving possession back to Belmont.
Bradshaw then broke free for a layin to put the Bruins back on top, 77-75, with 1:06 left.
As Morehead State worked its possession into the frontcourt, Bradshaw was whistled for an off the ball foul 40 feet from the basket with 51 seconds left.
Arrington made one of two free throws to cut the margin in half.
From there, Belmont wisely went "two-for-one" to get an extra offensive possession, but Bradshaw's stepback three-point attempt rimmed off.
Following a timeout, Morehead State turned to Arrington, who drove baseline and lofted a contested floater.
The shot missed, but as teams battled for the rebound, Bradds was charged with fouling Elechi off the ball on the weak side.
With Belmont's top two frontcourt options having fouled out, Elechi made two free throws with 14 seconds remaining to give Morehead State a 78-77 lead.
After a timeout, Belmont designed a play for Bradshaw, who caught a toss pass on the left wing and drove the lane. The guard worked through contact and lofted a 12-footer before the horn, but his attempt rimmed off and the horn sounded as teams battled for the rebound.
All told, Belmont shot 52 percent from the field - including 6-for-20 from three-point distance. Belmont went 23-for-29 from the free throw line.
Bradshaw led four Bruins in double figures with a season-high tying 28 points. Bradds had 16 points, while Barnette and Mercer each added 12.
Arrington led Morehead State (14-11, 7-5) with 24 points.
Belmont (18-9, 10-3 OVC) returns to game action Thursday, Feb. 18 at Eastern Kentucky. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and the WatchESPN app. The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network.
