Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Outpacing visiting Eastern Illinois University 43-22 in the second half and committing a season-low five turnovers, the Belmont University women's basketball team picked up its seventh consecutive win Thursday evening inside the Curb Event Center. Beginning the home stretch of the regular season, the Bruins defeated the visiting Panthers 77-46 to complete the season sweep of EIU.
Behind three double-figure scorers, including a career-high 14 points from junior guard Nikki Baird, Belmont further asserted its game lead in the Ohio Valley Conference improving to 13-2 in league play and 17-7 overall.
The Bruins limited the Panthers (13-13, 8-7 OVC) to only 24.3 percent (9-of-37) shooting in the second half, outscoring EIU 23-7 in the third quarter. Following a slow offensive start, Belmont locked down on defense and held the Panthers to just 32 points across the last 30 minutes.
Forcing 21 EIU turnovers, the Bruins scored 26 points off the Panthers' miscues and got 26 points off the bench. Belmont outscored EIU 34-26 in the paint and overcame a 48-33 deficit on the glass to claim its 10th-straight win over the Panthers.
The Bruins trailed 6-2 early after scoring the first basket of the game on a Destinee Wells layup and EIU led 12-6 at the first media timeout following Belmont's 2-for-8 start from the field. Closing the opening quarter on a 9-2 run, the Bruins retook the lead at 15-14 on a Tuti Jones layup right before the buzzer.
An electrifying 10-0 Belmont run in the second quarter swiftly shifted the momentum of the game and gave the Bruins a seven-point lead at 29-22 with four-and-a-half minutes to go in the half. Belmont would go on to hold the Panthers scoreless for a seven-minute stretch of play during the quarter and ended the first half on a 15-2 run.
Shooting 46.7 percent (7-of-15) in the second quarter, the Bruins led 34-24 at the break. Sophomore guard Wells scored 16 points in the first half on 5-of-8 shooting and Belmont held EIU without a three-pointer in the half.
Continuing their stingy defense, the Bruins didn't allow the Panthers to score for the first four minutes of the second half as Belmont extended its advantage to 16 at 40-24. With threes from senior forward Conley Chinn and Baird, along with a jumper from Wells, the Bruins pushed their lead to 50-29 with just under four minutes left in the third quarter.
A layup from freshman forward Tessa Miller capped another 15-2 Belmont run and put the home team up 26 at 55-29. The Bruins led 57-31 heading into the final quarter after shooting 47.4 percent (9-of-19) in the third and connecting on three of their seven three-point attempts (42.9 percent). EIU made just three field goals in the quarter on 18.8 percent (3-of-16) shooting and went 1-for-6 from outside without a trip to the foul line.
Pouring on 20 more points in the fourth quarter, Belmont took a 29-point lead at 62-33 on a second-chance layup from junior guard Kiki Britzmann. Seven consecutive Bruin points from sophomore forward Madison Bartley, including a top-of-the-key trey, gave Belmont its largest lead of the evening at 33 (71-38) with just under four minutes to go.
Going 5-for-12 (41.7 percent) from beyond the arc in the second half, the Bruins finished 43.3 percent (26-of-60) overall from the field. Belmont tallied 14 assists while holding the Panthers to 28.3 percent (17-of-60) shooting for the contest. EIU went 3-for-16 (18.8 percent) from distance but was 9-for-11 (81.8 percent) at the free-throw line. The Bruins shot 73.9 percent (17-of-23) at the charity stripe.
The Panthers entered Thursday ranked ninth nationally in total steals and 17th in steals per game but were unable to come away with a takeaway against Belmont.
Wells led all scorers with 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting, distributed a game-high five assists and collected a trio of rebounds. Bartley notched 16 points and secured a team-best seven boards, while Baird knocked down four three-pointers on 4-for-6 shooting from long range.
Starting guard Lariah Washington and reserve forward Taris Thornton led the way for EIU with 11 points each. Washington also hauled in a game-high eight rebounds.
Up Next
Getting three of their final four regular season games at home, the Bruins welcome SIUE to the Curb Event Center Saturday for a 2 p.m. tipoff. Next week, Belmont wraps up OVC action with a trip to Murray State Thursday before hosting Tennessee State for homecoming and senior day next Saturday, Feb. 26. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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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