NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball dropped an 88-75 decision at Lipscomb Tuesday night in the 153^rd installment of the Battle of the Boulevard.
 
Belmont, which had won 20 of the previous 23 meetings and played without all-conference forward Eoin Dillon, could not get stabilized on either end of the floor against the Bisons.
 
Two early field goals from Bez Jenkins got Belmont off to a positive start, but foul trouble for Jenkins and Isaiah West impacted the Bruins' rotations.
 
After Vincent Neugebauer gave Belmont a 14-12 lead, Titus Sargiunas helped a 13-0 Lipscomb run which gave the Bisons a working margin.
 
Strong contributions from Jack Smiley and Aleksa Ristic kept Belmont within striking distance, as Ristic scored the final four points of the first half to make the score 40-32.
 
Belmont shot 45 percent (13-for-29) from the field in the opening 20 minutes. However, eight Belmont turnovers led to nine Lipscomb points.
 
After West got Belmont within 46-38 with 16:58 left, Lipscomb established Devyn Martin inside. The forward scored eight points in the first seven minutes of the second half.
 
Nevertheless, a Smiley 3-pointer and a Ristic driving layin made the score 55-48 with 12:33 remaining.
 
Each time Belmont appeared poised to get within one possession or retake the lead, Lipscomb had an answer.
 
Demonstrating tremendous spacing and sharpness, Lipscomb kept Belmont off balance with several offensive options.
 
Despite Lipscomb's timely shooting and aforementioned foul trouble, Belmont continued to battle and gave themselves a chance in the final media timeout.
 
A baseline stepback from Ristic, a Smiley driving layin, and two Jenkins free throws got Belmont within 78-72 with 2:01 left.
 
But following a solid Belmont defensive possession, Lipscomb reversed the basketball and found Takai Simpkins for an end-of-shot-clock 3-pointer to increase the Lipscomb lead back to nine points.
 
Smiley would again get Belmont within six, but Lipscomb went 7-for-8 from the free throw line in the final 53 seconds to secure the outcome.
 
All told, Belmont shot 45 percent (30-for-66) from the field and outrebounded Lipscomb, 37-30.

Belmont was +10 in second chance points and outscored Lipscomb 24-10 in bench points.
 
Smiley led three Belmont players in double figures with 23 points. Jenkins had his first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Ristic had his second consecutive stat line of 10 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.
 
Martin led Lipscomb (2-2) with 23 points.
 
Belmont (2-1) returns to game action Saturday vs. Southern Conference champion Furman.
 
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Steve Layman can be heard on Belmont Bruins Radio. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.

Belmont season tickets – which include the entire men's and women's basketball home schedule – are on sale now at belmontbruins.com/tickets. 
 
Belmont is proud to continue its Military Appreciation Ticket Program presented by Edley's – whereby all active military and veterans – and up to four guests – receive FREE admission to all men's and women's basketball games at the Curb Event Center.
 
Fans and viewers are encouraged to log onto NewsChannel5.com/contests to nominate loved ones and inspirational figures in their lives for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Belmont Basketball and Win Steve's Seats.
 
Contest winners will receive FREE VIP admission to a Belmont Basketball game, including black car transportation from Gray Line Tennessee, and a meet-and-greet with Voice of the Bruins and NewsChannel5 sports anchor Steve Layman.
 
To become a Bruin Club member, contact Russell Grimm at (615) 460-5668 or russell.grimm@belmont.edu.
 
Belmont University men's basketball has been a postseason fixture for the last two decades, including nine berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 21 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (behind Gonzaga and Kansas). Belmont has won 20 or more games in 16 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga and Kansas) and 19 or more games in 21 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga, Kansas, and San Diego State). Belmont is among select programs with two or more first-round selections in the NBA Draft over the last six years (Ben Sheppard, Dylan Windler). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 20 Academic All-America selections since 2001 and is the only NCAA Division I program to make the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Honor Roll every year of its existence. Belmont is the only NCAA Division I institution in America whose men's and women's basketball programs have won 20 or more games in 11 consecutive seasons.
 
How to Follow
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