Box Score ATLANTA, Ga. -- Belmont University women's basketball gave No. 17 Georgia Tech a scare on Sunday afternoon, climbing to within two points of the host Yellow Jackets with five minutes remaining in the game, but Georgia Tech rallied to hand the Bruins a 58-45 defeat in Atlanta at McCamish Pavilion.
A Jamilyn Kinney three-pointer with 5:02 left in the game cut the Yellow Jacket lead to just 45-43, forcing a Georgia Tech timeout. However, the hosts would end the game on a 13-2 run, including a 9-0 finish, to clinch the contest.
Destinee Wells finished with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists to lead the way for Belmont. After being held scoreless in the first half, Tuti Jones came out red-hot in the third quarter, scoring nine of her 12 points in the frame to help spark the Belmont comeback. Jones added six rebounds and four assists, while Madison Bartley chipped in eight points.
The Bruins kept it close the entire way, never trailing by more than seven until the 1:43 mark in the fourth quarter.
The Bruins got out to a quick start in the first quarter behind some stifling defense and the shot-making ability of Wells, racing out to a 15-6 advantage, their largest lead of the game. However, Georgia Tech put together a quick 5-0 spurt to bring the score to 15-11 in Belmont's favor through the first ten minutes.
Wells tallied nine points in the opening quarter, including two made three's, the second of which she turned into a four-point play after being fouled on her shot attempt.
In the second quarter, Belmont went ice-cold from the floor, tallying just four points while being shut out over the final 6:40 of the first half. The Bruins were 2-of-13 from the field, including 0-of-4 from behind the three point line. Yet, thanks to some stingy defense, Belmont trailed by just five at halftime, down 24-19.
It was Jones' show in the third quarter for Belmont, as the sophomore guard took the first Bruin possession out of the locker room and squared up from 12-feet to sink her first field goal of the game, the first two of her eventual nine points in the quarter.
After another Jones floater in the lane, Belmont had tied the Yellow Jackets at 27-27 with 5:54 remaining in the third quarter.
However, Georgia Tech started to rely more on their size underneath, feeding their All-ACC performer Lorela Cubaj, and allowing the Yellow Jackets to gain more separation in the process, making it 38-30 in Georgia Tech's favor with 2:23 remaining in the third. Cubaj would finish the game with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
One final Jones bucket for Belmont, a contested three on the wing, cut the score to just 38-33 in favor of Georgia Tech heading into the fourth quarter.
After shots went down for Jones and Bartley to start the fourth, Kinney's triple at the 5:02 mark to make it 45-43, her first made field goal of the game, brought the visiting Belmont fans to their feet and forced a Georgia Tech timeout.
However, that was the last made field goal for Belmont, as the Bruins again encountered a dry stretch that saw them get just two more points on the afternoon in the form of two Bartley free throws.
Belmont was out-rebounded by Georgia Tech 41-32. The Bruins did collect 10 offensive rebounds and six total steals, while leading the No. 17 team in the country for 11:30 of game time.
Up Next
Belmont returns home to the Curb Event Center on Thursday, Nov. 18, for their home opener against Alabama A&M. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on both ESPN+ and the Bruin Sports Network.
Belmont season tickets, which include the entire men's and women's basketball home schedule, are on sale now at BelmontBruins.com/Tickets, in addition to flex packs, single game tickets and group experiences. Fans can also call or text 615.460.BALL (2255).
To become a Bruin Club member, contact Russell Grimm at (615) 460-5668 or russell.grimm@belmont.edu.
Follow Belmont women's basketball on social media - @BelmontWBB on Twitter, @belmontwbb on Instagram and Belmont Women's Basketball on Facebook - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
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