Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Sophomore forward Madison Bartley scored a career-high 29 points and the Belmont University women's basketball team knocked down 10 three-pointers against Murray State University Saturday afternoon inside the Curb Event Center for the Bruins' fifth-straight victory. Keeping one of the top shooting teams in the nation to under 40 percent from the field, Belmont defeated the visiting Racers 67-52 to move to 5-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play and remain undefeated in the new year.
The Bruins (9-5, 5-0 OVC) shot 48 percent (26-of-54) for the afternoon, limited Murray State (11-5, 3-2 OVC) to 4-for-13 (30.8 percent) from beyond the arc and forced 17 turnovers while controlling the game from the opening tip. Bartley set the tone early and Belmont used an impressive fourth quarter to pull away from the Racers, outscoring Murray State 33-22 in the second half.
Limiting the Racers to just two made field goals across the final 10 minutes, the Bruins went 6-for-9 from the floor in the fourth quarter and shot 56.5 percent (13-of-23) percent in the second half.
Despite facing a 32-26 deficit on the glass, Belmont outscored Murray State 30-24 in the paint thanks to Bartley's big outing. Leading for nearly 39 minutes of the contest, the Bruins responded to an early second-half surge by the Racers with a lengthy 29-12 run over 14 minutes of action.
Matching the most points scored by a Belmont player this season on 12-for-16 shooting, Bartley pulled down a game-high eight rebounds. Extending her double-figure scoring streak to 28, sophomore guard Destinee Wells notched 12 points while distributing a game-best seven assists.
Bartley scored the first five points of the home affair and had nine of the Bruins' first 15 as Belmont led by six at the first media timeout. A scoring drought over the closing 4:53 of the opening quarter got the Racers within two at 15-13, but Belmont capped a 12-2 run over the first three minutes of the second quarter with a Wells trey to go up 27-15.
Murray State outscored the Bruins 15-7 over a 6:44 stretch to climb within four at 34-30 right before the break.
Both teams shot around 40 percent across the first 20 minutes, but Belmont limited the Racers to 1-for-3 shooting from distance in the first half. Murray State went 9-for-9 at the free-throw line in the opening half.
Scoring the first five points of the second half, the Racers took their first lead of the game at 35-34. After a Wells jumper gave the advantage back to the Bruins, Murray State went in front 37-36 for the final time of the day just over three minutes into the third quarter.
A layup by Racer guard Macey Turley with 4:15 to go in the third knotted up the score at 47 before Belmont went on a 14-0 run, holding Murray State scoreless for eight minutes of on-court action. Sophomore guard Blair Schoenwald drained her third triple and Bartley got another bucket to go, pushing the Bruins in front by 14 at 61-47 with 7:43 remaining.
Bartley's last basket of the game gave Belmont its largest lead of the afternoon at 65-49 with 3:35 left.
The Bruins finished 10-for-21 (47.6 percent) from deep and went 5-for-6 at the charity stripe. The Racers were held to 36 percent (9-of-25) shooting in the second half and were 38 percent (19-of-50) overall for the game.
Schoenwald reached a career-high tying nine points for the fourth time this season on 3-for-3 three-point shooting. Senior forward Conley Chinn posted five points and five rebounds.
Belmont held two-time reigning OVC Player of the Week Katelyn Young to 14 points on 5-for-13 shooting as Murray State got 15 points, five rebounds and three assists from Turley. Racer forward Hannah McKay also reached double figures with 11 points and totaled six boards.
Up Next
Following continued COVID-19 related issues within the University of Tennessee at Martin program, the Bruins will not travel to Martin, Tennessee, Monday. Belmont heads to Morehead State next Thursday, Jan. 20 for an early 3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. ET tipoff. Next Saturday, the Bruins return to the Curb Event Center for a matchup with Tennessee Tech.
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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