Box Score
Fort Worth, TX-After some time away from the court, the Belhaven men's basketball team returned to action for the first time since November 25^th and picked up a 56-42 win over the University of the Southwest Friday night. It was the opening game of the Clifford Christmas Classic hosted by Texas Wesleyan University. The Blazers are 19^th in the latest NAIA Division I Top 25 poll and now own an 8-1 record after Friday's win. The Mustangs remain winless on the season at 0-11.

 

Belhaven got things going early on a basket by Iman Walcott in the first minute and fifteen seconds of the opening half. The field goal opened up a 14-2 run to begin the game. Points 13 and 14 came on another basket by Walcott with 12:52 to go in the first half. Both teams went on a scoring drought over the next four minutes as neither team could crack the scoreboard.

 

With 8:54 to play in the opening period, Darrick Mathews fired in a three point shot for the University of the Southwest to cut Belhaven's lead to 14-5. The Mustangs trimmed the lead to six with 6:14 to play in the first half on an old fashion three point play by Brant Etheridge. Belhaven then regrouped by going on a 12-4 run to build a 25-12 advantage heading in into the locker room.

 

Belhaven was led by Korey Whiting with seven first half points and Phillip Holmes tossed in six points while grabbing 10 rebounds. The Blazers shot 32.3 percent from the field, but knocked down five of their seven free throw opportunities. The University of the Southwest's offense was shutdown by Belhaven's defense in the first half. The Mustangs managed to hit only 19.2 percent of their shot in the opening frame. Darrick Mathews led the Mustangs with five first half points. The Blazers also had command of the boards holding a 31-12 advantage in the rebound department after the first 20 minutes.

 

Belhaven continued to play hard on the defensive end in the second half as the Mustangs failed to get any closer than 11 points in the final period. The Blazers largest lead of the game was 20 points and it came with 4:08 to go in the contest. Roderick Wilson hit the basket to make the score 48-28. The University of the Southwest tried to battle back with a late 10-2 run with just over a minute to go, cutting Belhaven's lead down to 12 points. Belhaven's Chase Hudson proceeded to hit six key free throws down the stretch to prevent the Mustangs from getting any closer as the Blazers secured the 56-42 victory.

 

Belhaven was led by Phillip Holmes with 10 points and 12 rebounds to record the double double. Korey Whiting finished with 9 points and 10 rebounds in the Blazer victory. Overall, Belhaven ended the game with a 54-29 advantage on the glass. It offset and off night by the offense which shot only 36 percent from the field. However, the Blazers did a nice job at the free throw line going 15 for 20 in the game.

 

The Mustangs struggled mightily on offense due in large part to the Blazer defense. USW knocked down only 27 percent of their field goals and 15 percent of their three pointers. The Mustangs had two players reach double figures in scoring. Darrick Mathews led the offense with 12 points followed by Cesar Cuevas with 10.