Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind 21 points and 13 rebounds from junior Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio), Belmont University men's basketball defeated Tennessee Tech, 95-86, Saturday night in front of a standing room only crowd at the Curb Event Center.
The victory secures at least a share of an eighth conference regular season championship in the last 11 years.
Tennessee Tech scored 11 of the first 13 points, but from there, Belmont got sparks off the bench from junior Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.) and freshman Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) to square the game at 12.
With sophomore Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) leading the way, the Bruins buried six consecutive three-point field goals over a breathtaking, three minute span midway through the first half, the last of which from Smith gave Belmont a 32-23 lead.
More strong defense led to early offense opportunities for the Bruins, as back-to-back three-pointers from freshman Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.) pushed the lead to 38-23 with 4:14 left in the half.
Belmont led 44-32 at halftime.
It was an electrifying display of shooting in the first half, as the two teams combined to make 19 three-pointers.
Belmont shot 50 percent (17-for-34) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 10-for-19 from three-point distance.
Smith led the Bruins with nine first half points.
Five more points from Luke extended the margin to 16, 51-35 with 17:45 remaining.
More stellar play from Smith and junior Taylor Barnette (Lexington, Ky.) helped Belmont maintain a double figure lead.
But after a Bradds layin made the score 64-47 with 13:19 to go, the Bruins endured a three minute scoring drought.
Two Hakeem Rogers free throws capped a 13-0 Tennessee Tech run to get the visitors within 64-60 with 10:43 left.
Yet again, Luke responded, with two free throws and a second chance three-pointer to push the margin back to nine.
The Golden Eagles would get within six points twice, but Barnette's three-pointer with 1:09 remaining all but secured the victory.
Belmont shot 50 percent (31-for-62) from the field - including 15-for-31 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced 13 turnovers and had six blocked shots, one off a season-high.
Bradds led five Bruins in double figures with 21 points. Smith had a season-high 16 points, while Luke added 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Barnette had 15 and Bradshaw 11.
Torrance Rowe led Tennessee Tech (18-9, 10-4 OVC) with 27 points.
Belmont (20-9, 12-3 OVC) returns to game action Sunday, Feb. 28 at Tennessee State. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on OVC Digital 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: Bradshaw and Laidig were honored prior to tip-off ... Bradds recorded his 14th double-double of the season, and 21st of his career ... Luke came off the bench for the first time this season, with Laidig making his first career start ... Bradshaw scored in double figures for the 85th time in his career ... Only Kansas and Gonzaga have more conference regular season championships than Belmont since 2006 ... Belmont has won seven consecutive regular season home finales ... Six different Bruins made three-point field goals ... The overflow crowd of 5,074 was the third-largest announced attendance in Curb Event Center history for a men's basketball game.
