Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Belmont Bruins dropped to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, 60-41, Saturday afternoon at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
The Bruins (13-8, 8-2 OVC) were led by senior Ellie Harmeyer, who posted her sixth-straight double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Harmeyer also added three assists and a blocked shot on the day.
Six players logged five or more points for Belmont, including junior Madison Treece, who tacked on five points and three rebounds in five minutes of action.
Three players recorded double-figure points for the Gamecocks (10-11, 6-4 OVC), as junior Taylor Hawks led Jacksonville State with 15 points and five assists. Senior Chloe Long grabbed a team-best 13 rebounds for the Gamecocks.
Senior Maddie Wright got the Bruins off to a quick 2-0 lead 10 seconds into game, but Jacksonville State caught fire soon after. The Gamecocks went on a 14-5 tear, as Harmeyer scored each of Belmont's final seven points of the first period. Jacksonville State hit a jumper with two minutes left to take a 16-9 advantage through the first 10 minutes of play.
After falling down 20-11 to start the second period, sophomore Conley Chinn knocked down a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to five points at the three-minute mark. A pair of free throws from Harmeyer cut the Gamecock lead down to one possession, but Jacksonville State scored five quick points in the final minute to expand its lead. The Gamecocks took a 25-17 lead after the first half.
Harmeyer, Wright and Chinn combined for all but one the Bruins' points in the first half. Harmeyer logged a near double-double of nine points and eight rebounds through 20 minutes, as Belmont held its foe to a game-low nine points in the second quarter.
Jacksonville State opened the second half with a 7-0 run, as a layup from Harmeyer at the 5:26 mark shaved down the deficit to 32-20. The Gamecocks answered with an 8-0 run over the next three minutes to take a 40-20 advantage. Senior Maura Muensterman closed the gap with a 3-pointer with 1:34 left in the third quarter. Still, Jacksonville State led by a 43-25 margin entering the final quarter.
A jumper from Wright at the eight-minute mark of the fourth quarter sparked a 9-0 run for the Bruins. Treece hit a pair of free throws at the midway point of the period to narrow the deficit, as Belmont still trailed 50-35. The Bruins were unable to complete the comeback after trading buckets with Jacksonville State for the remainder of the time.
Overall, 11 different players grabbed a rebound for Belmont, as it received 12 points from the bench. Chinn and sophomore Maddie Cook each chipped in five points, while the senior tandem of Wright and Muensterman combined for 11 points and nine rebounds for the Bruins.
WALKING DOUBLE-DOUBLE: Ellie Harmeyer has posted 13 double-doubles in her last 15 outings for the Bruins. She has also recorded double-figure points in all but one game this year and notched seven 20-point double-doubles.
BALL SECURITY: With just 12 turnovers on Saturday, Belmont has turned the ball over 12 or less times in two of its last three matchups.
GRABBIN' BOARDS: The Bruins have accumulated 40 or more rebounds in all but one conference contest this season. They have also grabbed 50-plus boards two times in that span.
UP NEXT: Belmont returns home for a four-game homestand, which begins next Thursday versus Murray State. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. at the Curb Event Center.
