Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A high scoring fourth quarter led the Belmont University women's basketball (19-8, 11-3 OVC) team to a 70-49 victory over Tennessee Tech (9-18, 5-9 OVC).
Redshirt sophomore Kylee Smith (Alpharetta, Ga.) led the charge with 21 points along with five assists and five rebounds. Two other Bruins added double-digit scoring with sophomore Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) knocking down 14 and freshman Jenny Roy (Brentwood, Tenn.) added 12.
McCabe recorded a double-double by adding 12 rebounds. Junior Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.) grabbed eight rebounds while junior Lauren Thompson (Frankin, Tenn.) posted seven rebounds and seven points.
The fourth quarter was highlighted by a huge three from senior Natalie Cohlmeyer (Evansville, Ind.) with less then a minute left to play, Belmont then subbed her out for one last walk off the court, accompanied by a standing ovation from the crowd.
Cohlmeyer commented about hitting her three, "It was so much fun, the place erupted and it made my four years,"
Smith added "It was awesome for Natalie to hit that basket, she is such a great player on and off the court, she is a great teammate and brings such joy to this program. Getting to see her smile and watching the crowd erupt was awesome and it is something she will remember for the rest of her life."
The Bruins and Golden Eagles went shot for shot in the first quarter. The score was locked in at 12 a piece at the end of the quarter with Smith recording six of Belmonts 12 points.
The second quarter went scoreless for the first minute and a half, the draught was ended when Roy sunk a layup and drew the and one.
The slow pace of the game continued throughout most of the second quarter until the last three minutes when the Bruins went on an 8-to-2 run. The two teams went into the break with the Bruins up 28-22.
The third quarter started when the teams traded baskets, each putting up six points. Tech recorded the next four and Belmont took eight of the next ten. Each team hit a free throw to end the third quarter with the Bruins up 42-35.
Belmont opened the fourth quarter on six-to-three run, which created a double-digit lead. After two free throws from and a layup by Tech the Bruins went on a 10-0 run, which put them up by 18. Tech added three more but five straight from Belmont, including a third three from Smith in just over two minutes, gave them a 20 points lead, the largest of the game.
Cohlmeyer commented about the Bruins change of pace in the fourth quarter, "We just kept playing and kept our foot on the gas pedal, and we were having fun and baskets started falling. The place erupted and we just had so much energy, we give a lot of credit to our fans in helping us earn this victory."
Freshman Sam Ross (Cincinnati, Ohio) hit two free throws as the last two points of the game for the Bruins.
With this victory the Bruins finished the season with an unblemished 13-0 home record.
"It is great to know that this is what the 15-16 Belmont basketball team left, coach always talks about leaving a legacy and this is just the beginning of what we are doing," said Smith.
Belmont has two conference games left before the conference tournament begins on March 2. The Bruins travel to Eastern Kentucky Wednesday to take on the Colonels.
