Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn.- The Belmont University women's basketball team (24-5, 16-0) completed its conference season undefeated as it earned an 87-71 victory over Tennessee State (10-16, 5-11) Saturday afternoon at the Curb Event Center. The Bruins won their program-best 18th consecutive contest and continued NCAA Division I's second longest active winning streak.
Belmont is just the fifth women's team in OVC history to register an undefeated regular season record and after starting the season 2-4, the Bruins won 22 of their final 23 regular season games.
It was a successful senior sendoff for Madison Blevins (Knoxville, Tenn.) Frankie Joubran (Goodrich, Mich.), Kia Perry (Gallatin, Tenn.), Meredith Roman (Nashville, Tenn.) and Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.).
"Hats off to our seniors because they started this. They helped build this culture of where we are today. Our team has pushed each other all season in practice and its translated onto the court. I couldn't be more happy for this team," said Belmont Head Coach Cameron Newbauer. "It's great to have a group young people coming together to fight for something that's much bigger than themselves."
Darby Maggard (Larwill, Ind.) put forth another outstanding effort scoring 20 points and pouring in four three-pointers. Thompson, playing in front of the Bruin faithful for her final time, tied her season-high with 17 points and brought in eight rebounds. Kylee Smith (Alpharetta, Ga.) finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists and Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) also ended up in double figures with 13. Jenny Roy (Brentwood, Tenn.) scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds to conclude a group of five double digit scorers for the Bruins.
Entering the game with 96 made three-pointers this season, Maggard connected on a quartet of long distance shots to become just the third player in program history to make 100 or more three's in a single season.
The Bruins outscored the Lady Tigers in every quarter but the last and led for over 35 minutes. Belmont finished the game shooting 26-of-54 (48.1%) from the field and recorded 19 assists as a team.
"We've just worked so hard and its kind of like four years of work coming to fruition for us. I honestly think its our chemistry. We get along so well and on the court we all flow really well together," said Thompson after the game.
Four TSU players recorded double digits, paced by Preseason All-OVC selection I'mani Davis, who scored 19.
The Bruins led 16-11 at the game's first media timeout after trailing the Lady Tigers, 4-0 in the early going. After the teams battled back and forth, Belmont led 21-18 at the end of the first period as both team shot above 45% in the opening act. At the 5:57 mark of the first quarter, the senior Thompson, who has one of the best midrange jumpers on the team, connected on her first three-pointer of her career, fittingly enough, on senior day.
Leading just 30-28 with 5:14 remaining in the second, Belmont closed the second quarter on a momentous 15-2 run to carry a 45-30 edge going into the intermission. After a tight first quarter, the Bruins stretched their lead by outscoring the Lady Tigers 24-12 in the second. McCabe and Maggard each checked in with 11 points at the break. Seven Bruins scored first half baskets as Belmont finished the half shooting 14-of-29 (48.3%) from the field. BU assisted on 11 of its 14 made field goals and did a good amount of damage at the free throw line, registering 13 makes on 16 attempts.
The Bruins carried their momentum into the third quarter where they outscored TSU 17-15. Belmont stretched its lead as a large as 25 at 60-35 midway through the third as Maggard caught fire in the third, scoring seven points. TSU then clawed its way back with a 10-2 run to close the period.
BU led by as many 18 in the fourth, but the Lady Tigers didn't go lightly, as they narrowed the score to as low as 12 with under two minutes to play. Smith helped preserve the win, scoring 10 points in the final stanza.
"I can't thank the fans enough for coming out, to be able to share that with them is amazing. Also thank you to our seniors. They have put so much blood sweat and tears into this program and without them we wouldn't be where we are right now. They bought in completely and just to have them as someone I could look up to is special. They set an example of how to work hard everyday and come in everyday and wear the passion with Belmont on your shirt. That is something that I'll be forever thankful for," said Maggard following the Bruins' hardfought victory.
For Maggard it was her 18th time this season knocking three or more three-pointers in a game.
Including last season's run through the OVC Tournament, Belmont is 32-1 in its last 33 OVC games and has won 22-straight.
Belmont's 24-5 record through 29 games is its best since turning Division I.
Over its past 25 home games, Belmont is 24-1 at the Curb Event Center.
No. 1 seed Belmont returns to the floor Wednesday, March 1 when it takes on No. 8 SEMO in the opening round of the OVC Tournament.
