Box Score ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite holding a four-point halftime lead, the Belmont University women's basketball team dropped a 57-45 decision to receiving-votes UCF Sunday afternoon inside Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Bruins (3-2) were unable to overcome a strong second half of shooting by the host Knights (3-1), who went 68.2 percent (15-of-22) from the floor and 4-for-5 (80 percent) from beyond the arc.
Displaying outstanding defense in the first half, Belmont looked poised to pick up its second road victory over a team receiving votes in the USA Today Sports/WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association) Preseason Top 25 Coaches Poll this season. However, UCF made second-half adjustments and was able to overcome another strong performance by sophomore guard Tuti Jones, who finished with a team-high 14 points, four assists and three steals.
The Bruins were held scoreless for the first two-and-a-half minutes of the game as the Knights led 5-0 and 6-1 early. The slow start was quickly forgotten though when Jones came up with her second steal of the afternoon and found senior guard Jamilyn Kinney open on the wing. Kinney knocked down the triple to give Belmont its first lead of the game at 11-8 with just seconds remaining in the opening quarter. The Bruins closed the quarter on a 10-2 run over the final 5:54.
Belmont used a 13-2 run over seven-and-a-half minutes of play to build a six-point, 14-8 lead at the 8:26 mark of the second quarter with senior forward Conley Chinn splashing in a three.
Taking an 18-14 lead into the locker room, the Bruins limited UCF to just six first-half field goals and 19.4 percent (6-of-31) shooting without a made three-pointer (0-of-5) in the first 20 minutes.
The Knights outscored Belmont 23-9 in the third quarter behind 69.2 percent shooting (9-of-13), including 2-for-3 from outside. UCF guard Alisha Lewis made a three right before the third-quarter buzzer to give the home team a 10-point, 37-27 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of action.
Layups from sophomore forward Madison Bartley and a deep trey by Jones got the Bruins within three at 37-34 just 2:10 into the fourth quarter. Chinn then responded to another long ball by the Knights' Lewis to keep it a three-point game at 40-37 with six-and-a-half minutes to go.
Just under the five-minute mark, sophomore guard Destinee Wells connected on three-pointer from the top of the key to make it a two-possession affair at 44-40 but UCF's Lewis hit yet another triple to give the Knights a 47-40 lead with four minutes left. Wells sunk her second consecutive three-point attempt to keep Belmont within striking distance at 47-43 with 3:43 showing on the clock.
A Jones layup with just under three minutes to go made it a four-point game once again at 49-45, but the Bruins would go 0-for-6 from the field down the stretch. UCF used an 8-0 run with four made free throws over the final minute to close the game.
Belmont was outscored 43-27 in the second half.
The Knights outrebounded the Bruins 41-24 and outscored Belmont 24-16 in the paint. UCF made all nine of its second-half free throws.
Wells finished with 10 points but went 4-for-15 from the floor. Chinn scored nine and snagged seven rebounds, while Bartley also collected seven boards and notched seven points.
The Knights' Lewis went 4-for-4 from downtown in the second half and scored all 14 of her points in the last two quarters. UCF guard Diamond Battles scored a game-high 16 with 12 of her points coming in the second half as the Knights got 11 points and a game-best eight rebounds from forward Masseny Kaba.
Up Next
The Bruins have a week off from game action before returning to the hardwood for competition next Sunday, Nov. 28 at the Southeastern Conference's Arkansas. Tipoff from Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is slated for 7 p.m. The non-conference road matchup will be broadcast on SEC 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.
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