Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University women's basketball (21-8, 13-3 OVC) locked down the two seed in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament after a 71-51 victory over Tennessee State (12-17, 7-9 OVC).
Five players recorded double-digit points for the Bruins in Sunday's victory. Sophomore Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) led the way with 13, followed by junior Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.) with 12, and finally junior Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.), sophomore Sierra Jones (Huntsville Ala.) and freshman Ellie Harmeyer (Kenosha, Wisc.) all posted 10.
"I thought we had a lot of people step up today and we continued to play through our turnovers," said Joubran. "The second half we brought a lot of energy and I think it is the perfect way to head into the conference tournament."
McCabe snatched eight rebounds, while redshirt sophomore Kylee Smith (Alpharetta, Ga.) posted five rebounds and five points.
Tennessee State opened up play by taking the first four points. Bruins retaliated taking seven of the next nine points. Back-to-back layups by the Bruins put Belmont up by three. A final three from freshman Darby Maggard (Larwill, Ind.) followed by a layup from Roy left the Bruins up by four at the end of the first quarter.
Joubran opened the second quarter with a layup, and then TSU took the next four points. McCabe hit a three, which opened the gap to five. Both teams traded baskets as they approached the half. TSU knocked down two free throws coming within two of the Bruins.
First half of the third quarter was filled with a handful of points for Thompson as she recorded six of the Bruins first seven points.
McCabe hit a layup followed by a jumper to put the Bruins up by nine. Belmont went on a 7-0 run at the end of the third quarter holding a 14-point lead.
Belmont held the Lady Tigers to only nine points in the third quarter, as they posted 21.
Belmont opened the final quarter with a 10-0 run, which gave them their largest lead of the game at 24. Joubran knocked down half of the Bruins 10 points.
TSU went on a 4-0 run in attempt to close the gap but four straight free throws from Jones and Maggard slowed down the Lady Tigers. The two teams traded baskets as the clock ran down with the Bruins up by 20.
"This win today was a great way to end our regular season, we have worked so hard for this all year and I am so proud of this team," said Harmeyer. "Can't wait for the OVC tournament to start and to see where we will go."
Belmont and Tennessee State will meet once again on Wednesday, March 2 in the opening round of the OVC Tournament. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. CT.
