Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - - Behind a game-high 21 points from senior All-America candidate Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio), Belmont University men's basketball defeated Jacksonville State, 66-53, Thursday night.
The Bruins returned to play one week after their inspired victory at Murray State.
While a methodical, halfcourt slugfest was expected, in the first seven minutes, the game was full of end-to-end action.
All five Belmont starters scored in building a 14-10 lead. But eight quick points from Greg Tucker capped a 10-0 Jacksonville State run to make the score 20-14.
But after an electrifying start that saw the hosts make nine of their first 11 shots, Belmont hunkered down and played some of its finest defense of the season.
With Bradds and sophomore Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) in foul trouble, Belmont got three straight 3-pointers from senior Taylor Barnette (Lexington, Ky.) in a 76 second span to seize a 34-30 lead at the break.
Belmont shot 44 percent (12-for-27) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 7-for-16 from 3-point distance.
Barnette led Belmont with 12 first half points.
Belmont would score the first six points of the second half, as a Bradds slam on a gorgeous pass from junior Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) increased the lead to 10, 40-30, with 17:13 left.
Tucker would end a five-minute Jacksonville State scoring drought before Windler replied with a silky wing 3-pointer.
A deep corner 3-pointer from sophomore Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.) and a tough Bradds basket extended the lead to 48-35 with 13:02 left.
Andre Statam would close the margin to 48-44 with 11:29 to go, before Bradds and Barnette answered with scores.
Belmont would limit Jacksonville State to one field goal over an eight minute stretch in building the lead back to 60-46 on a second effort layin from McClain.
All told, Belmont shot 43 percent (23-for-53) from the field - including 10-for-29 from 3-point distance. The Bruins committed only nine turnovers.
Bradds led three Bruins in double figures with 21 points and eight rebounds. Barnette had 17 and McClain 10.
Tucker led Jacksonville State (15-12, 7-5 OVC) with 14 points.
Belmont (18-4, 12-0 OVC) returns to game action Saturday, Feb. 11 at Tennessee Tech. Tip-off is set for 7:30 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. In-game updates will available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTES: Belmont has won 14 consecutive games ... Belmont has won an NCAA-best 10 consecutive road games ... With 17 points, Barnette became the 16th member of Belmont's NCAA Division I era 1,000 point club ... Barnette has 1,004 career points ... Bradds has 236 points and 82 rebounds in his last 10 games ... Bradds, who was named CoSIDA Academic All-District Thursday, has 1,785 career points ... Belmont limited Jacksonville State to four offensive rebounds ... Belmont was +6 in second chance points ... Belmont has won nine of the last 10 meetings with Jacksonville State.
