Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – An early run helped No. 24 Belmont women's basketball secure the outright OVC regular season title as the team defeated Morehead State, 80-56, Saturday night inside the Curb Event Center. Veterans Kylee Smith (Alpharetta, Ga.) and Darby Maggard (Larwill, Ind.) each tallied a double-double to mark the Bruins 41st consecutive conference win.
The squad saw extensive contributions from various players along with Smith (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Maggard's (14 points, 10 assists) double-double performances. Junior guard Jenny Roy came within a tally of joining the crew, registering nine points and 11 rebounds, meanwhile, senior center Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) also contributed 16 points and seven boards.
Morehead State (19-10, 10-6) hung around with the help of Eriel McKee's 22 points and Miranda Crockett's 12. Belmont (26-3, 16-0) held the Eagles to 33 percent from the floor while out rebounding them, 51-29.
Belmont's stifling defense to start the first frame helped the Bruins pour in 11 points before ever allowing an Eagle bucket. They forced back-to-back turnovers while collecting a block from McCabe during the four-minute scoreless span from Morehead State. BU went on to limit Morehead State to a quiet two points for the first eight minutes of play. A pair of buckets from sophomore forward Maddie Wright (Chattanooga, Tenn.) pushed Belmont's advantage to 18-2 at the 2:41 mark. At the end of the stanza, the Eagles were held to six points as BU boasted an 18-6 lead.
The second period proved to be a little different as MSU chipped away at their 12-point deficit. BU drained two quick shots before suffering a four-minute scoring drought of its own. The Eagles cashed in on two consecutive treys while stringing together an 8-0 run that brought them within six, 26-20. Maggard halted the run with a couple of fade away jumpers that helped the Bruins maintain their lead. Junior forward Ellie Harmeyer (Kenosha, Wisc.) hit a shot from beyond the arc with less than a minute to remaining as Belmont went ahead, 35-24, at intermission.
Both squads traded buckets to start the third until Morehead State netted six unanswered points as they continued to try and catch up with Belmont. Smith ensured that the Eagles stayed a safe distance from the Bruins, hitting a timely triple to go back up by 10, 44-34. Another extended scoring drought for MSU aided BU's opportunity to tack on a few more points as Roy and Smith continued to pour it ion, putting the Bruins up, 53-36, after three frames.
Smith and junior guard Maura Muensterman (Evansville, Ind.) teamed up for quick five points as Belmont got hot in the final stanza, outscoring the Eagles, 27-20. Four consecutive three-pointers from the Bruins in a span of two minutes solidified the victory as they continued to extend their lead. Morehead State tacked on three late buckets, but it wouldn't be enough to overcome Belmont as time expired.
GAME NOTES
- Belmont extends its winning streak to 17 games, the fifth longest streak in the nation.
- The Bruins have won their last 41 consecutive OVC games, boasting the second longest streak in the nation behind No. 1 UConn (94).
- This marks the second-straight season that BU as won at least 26 games. It's 26-3 record is its best since 1993-94.
- The win moves the all-time series record to 13-3 in favor of the Bruins.
- Belmont's No. 24 ranking in the AP poll is its first-ever appearance in the Top-25 and the first of any BU program.
- Tonight's 80-point performance is their 14th of the season.
- Smith and Maggard's double-double marked the fifth time this season that two players have registered a double-double in the same game.
UP NEXT
Belmont closes out its regular season road slate with a trip south to Jacksonville State on Wednesday, Feb. 21. The Bruins and Gamecocks are slated for a 6 p.m. tip.
