Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball dropped a 96-83 decision to Samford Saturday afternoon from the Curb Event Center.
The visiting Bulldogs scored 11 of the first 14 points and kept the positive momentum throughout.
Opportunistic Samford shooting coupled with a Belmont offense which struggled to find a rhythm saw the margin grow to 48-29 late in the first half on a Triston Chambers 3-pointer.
A scoring run from junior Luke Smith (Knoxville, Tenn.) helped Belmont cut the margin to 52-39 at halftime.
Belmont methodically worked closer behind defensive stops and free throws.
As Samford forward Christian Guess received his second technical foul and was ejected with 12:05 remaining, Belmont got within 62-56 on two free throws from freshman JaCobi Wood (Cleveland, Tenn.).
But the 3-point line - traditionally kind to Belmont - was cruel on this day. As the Bruins endured a cold stretch Samford had timely responses.
Jacob Tryon's baseline 3-pointer capped an 8-0 Samford run to make the score 70-56 with 9:20 left.
Samford also got pivotal second chance baskets from Logan Dye and Myron Gordon midway through the second half to stall Belmont's charge.
Yet more Wood free throws and a 3-pointer from junior Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) got Belmont within 76-73 with 5:25 remaining.
Just as Belmont appeared poised to take its first lead since the opening moments, consecutive 3-pointers from A.J. Staton-McCray and Preston Parks increased the margin to nine.
Samford would make 11 free throws in the final 2:24.
All told, Belmont shot a season-low 34 percent (22-for-64) from the field - including 10-for-41 from 3-point distance. Meanwhile Samford went 14-for-30 from long distance.
Though Belmont forced 19 turnovers, Samford held a plus-two advantage in points off turnovers.
Smith led four Bruins in double figures with 24 points. Junior Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) had 19 points while Wood and Murphy each scored 17.
Myron Gordon led Samford (2-1) with 23 points.
"This one is on me," said Belmont head coach Casey Alexander following the game. "Samford was far better doing what they do than we were, and that's the number one responsibility of the head coach. We're obviously disappointed, but we will learn from it and get better."
Belmont had its 15 game-win streak snapped, and lost a non-conference home game for the first time in 1,104 days.
Belmont (3-1) returns to game action Tuesday, Dec. 8 vs. Tennessee State. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. from the Curb Event Center.
