Box Score HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - - Belmont University men's basketball dropped a 92-72 decision to Alabama Saturday in the 2019 Rocket City Classic.
Belmont was eying a second consecutive victory over Alabama in the series, and third straight win over Southeastern Conference opposition.
But the Bruins would face a Crimson Tide squad gaining reinforcements back from injury, and gaining confidence with each passing day.
After sizzling from long distance in its previous matchup with a Power 5 conference opponent at a hockey arena this season - Boston College at the famed Conte Forum - the 3-point line, which has been so kind to Belmont over the years, let the Bruins down at the Von Braun Center.
Belmont, which leads the nation in made 3-point field goals since becoming an NCAA Division I institution in 1996-97, went 7-for-30 from behind the arc while Alabama went 14-for-32.
After weathering an initial storm, behind the inspired play of sophomore Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) Belmont led 34-30 with 3:44 left in the first half.
But the Bruins' heavy lifting throughout the first half would be washed away in the blink of eye.
Four consecutive 3-pointers over a 101-second span - makes from Kira Lewis and John Petty bookended by 3-pointers from Jaden Shackelford - highlighted a 16-4 Alabama run to end the first half.
Alabama led 46-38 at halftime.
From there, the Crimson Tide opened the second half on another 16-4 spurt to break the game open.
Sophomore Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) and graduate student Tyler Scanlon (Centreville, Va.) spearheaded a Belmont rally, closing within 82-70 with 2:35 left.
Alabama scored 10 of the game's final 12 points.
Scanlon led Belmont with a season-high 20 points and eight rebounds. Muszynski had 17 points, while sophomore Adam Kunkel (Hebron, Ky.) scored 16.
Murphy added 11 points, five rebounds and six assists.
Shackelford led Alabama (6-5) with 16 points.
Belmont (8-4) returns to game action Saturday, Dec. 28 at Western Kentucky. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
