Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind a career-high 30 points from senior Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.), Belmont University men's basketball defeated UT Martin, 83-67, Thursday night.
The Bruins carried positive momentum into the new year, and while promising 3-point looks were expected against the Skyhawks' zone defense - Belmont made 15 treys last season - few could have expected the unfortgettable shooting that would transpire.
Two 3-pointers from senior Taylor Barnette (Lexington, Ky.) sparked Belmont to an early 12-4 lead.
Belmont traditionally does work the scoreboard by multiples of 3, but this game took it to another level.
Treys from sophomores Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.) and Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) kept Belmont in control, before Smith took the scoring baton.
Smith buried four consecutive 3-pointers in a span of 106 seconds to push the Belmont lead to 38-21 at the 6:07 mark.
In fact, Belmont's first 12 field goals of the game came from long distance, before a driving basket from junior Burton Sampson (Knoxville, Tenn.) provided the Bruins' first two-point field goal nearly 15 minutes into the game.
Fittingly, Smith ended the first half with a baseline 3-pointer.
It was an electrifying performance, and when the dust settled, Belmont set a program-record with 14 3-point field goals in the first half in building a 54-35 halftime lead.
Belmont shot 58 percent (19-for-33) from the field in the opening 20 minutes, while forcing eight Skyhawk turnovers.
Smith had 21 first half points on 7-for-7 3-point shooting.
The Bruin lead grew to 59-36 with 18:01 remaining on a 3-pointer from Windler.
Amidst the 3-point shooting, senior All-America candidate Evan Bradds (Jametown, Ohio) did not score until 14:22 left in regulation. But Bradds delivered strong inside production down the stretch to complement the perimeter scoring.
UT Martin closed within 70-61 on a 3-pointer from Jacolby Mobley, but Belmont scored 11 of the final 15 points.
All told, Belmont shot 51 percent (28-for-55) from the field - including 18-for-35 from 3-point distance.
Aside from Smith's career night, 10-for-13 from long distance, Windler added 15 points and seven rebounds, while junior Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) had 11.
Junior Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) had 11 assists.
Mobley led UT Martin (11-7, 1-2 OVC) with 22 points.
Belmont (8-4, 2-0 OVC) returns to game action Saturday, Jan. 7 vs. Southeast Missouri. Tip-off is set for 7 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. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTES: Belmont has won five consecutive meetings with UT Martin ... Belmont's 18 3-point field goals were one shy of the program record ... Smith tied the Curb Event Center single-game record for made 3-point field goals, set by Andy Wicke (vs. Gardner-Webb, 2/15/07) ... Josh Goodwin holds the Belmont NCAA era single-game record for made 3-pointers with 11 (at ETSU, 12/1/05) ... Luke's 11 assists were one shy of the CEC single-game record ... Belmont had 22 assists on 28 made field goals ... Belmont limited UT Martin to 33 percent shooting in the second half.
