By Logan Butts and Aaron Schmelzer
In round two of the 2013 Battle of the Boulevard, the Belmont Bruins topped the visiting Bisons, winning 94-64.
The game started with an 8-0 run by Belmont, and Talbott Denny scored the first points for the Bisons with a three.
With 14:37 left in the first half, the lead was in favor of the Bruins, 15-6. By halftime, their lead had increased to 47-26. A steal and breakaway layup from the Bruins’ J.J. Mann gave Belmont the momentum heading into the the half.
Malcolm Smith opened the second half with six consecutive points for the Bisons. However, any momentum gained from Smith’s run was erased with a two-handed slam from the Bruins’ Craig Bradshaw to make the score 58-34. Belmont would later seal its second ‘Battle’ win of the season.
“They were a significantly better team than they were the first time that we played,” Lipscomb head coach Casey Alexander said. The down-the-street rivals last played Nov. 8, a game that Belmont won, 87-83.
“Belmont’s such a rhythm team, and when things are going their way, they’re literally about as good as anybody,” Alexander said.
The loss for the Bisons dropped their record to 2-3 on the season.
Malcolm Smith stepped up for the Bisons, nearly posting a double-double with 14 points and eight rebounds. J.C. Hampton paced the Bisons, scoring the most points on the night with 16.
“J.C.’s a good player, and he’s going to be a good player,” Alexander said of the redshirt freshman point guard.
Evan Bradds was the leading scorer and rebounder for Belmont with 19 and eight, respectively. Mann came through for the Bruins with a solid all-around performance, amassing 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Following tonight’s game, the Bisons will next play at UT-Martin next on Nov. 25, in Martin, Tenn.
Game notes: Belmont outscored Lipscomb 48-28 in the paint. Lipscomb’s bench scored 14. Belmont’s bench scored 38. Belmont scored 17 point off turnovers, while Lipscomb scored 9 point off turnovers.
Photo credit: Whitney Jarreld