Box Score
Jackson, MS-The Belhaven men's basketball team suffered one of their toughest losses this season losing at home to Dillard University 78-73 Thursday night in Rugg Arena. The Blazers had built a 12 point lead with just over six minutes to play, but could not close out the game as the Blue Devils battled back to take the victory. Belhaven has lost 6 of their last seven games and now stand at 9-7 overall and 1-4 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Dillard is now 6-9 overall and 3-2 in league play.

 

Dillard built an early four point lead on a pair of baskets by Autrail Manning to put the Blue Devils up 4-0. Belhaven rallied to score the next four points on field goals by

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The Blazers continued their offensive onslaught extending the lead to a seven point 37-30 margin on a basket by Korey Whiting with 1:01 left in the opening period. After a pair of free throws by Dillard's David Manning, Belhaven's Detrick Johnson closed out the half by dropping in a field goal with 24 seconds left on the clock. With that basket, the Blazers took a 39-32 lead heading into the locker room.

 

The seven point half time lead by the Blazers quickly went to 11 points when Roche' and Phillip Holmes connected on field goals to put Belhaven up 43-32 two minutes into the second half. The Blue Devils would then outscore the Blazers 19-9 over the next 6:30 to get back within one point at 52-51. Belhaven then took off on a 9-0 run capped by a McClain field goal to give the Blazers another double digit lead 61-51 with 8:06 to go in the game.

 

Chase Hudson then pushed the Blazer lead to 12 points on a two point basket with 6:17 remaining and that point it looked like Belhaven was on their way to a victory. However, Dillard did not give up and responded with a 14-0 run to recapture the lead 67-65 with 3:21 on the second half clock. Belhaven took the lead again with just over a minute left when Whiting converted at pair of free throw attempts making the score 73-72. Unfortunately, it would be the final points of the night for Belhaven. The Blue Devils sunk six free throws in the final 34 seconds to pull away for the win.

 

The Blazers had four players score in double figures led by Korey Whiting with 18 points and five rebounds. Iman Walcott had 13 points followed by Dax Miller and Nathaniel Roche' with 10 points each. Roche' and Phillip Holmes both had a team high six rebounds. As a team, the Blazers hit 52 percent of their shots from the field, and converted 60 percent of their free throws. Belhaven out rebounded the Blue Devils 31-22, but had a costly 23 turnovers which led to 20 Dillard points.

 

The Blue Devils also had four players reach double digits on the scoreboard with Autrail Manning leading the pack with 22 points. Michael Bridges finished with 17 points, David Manning added 14 points, and Cornice Wingate chipped in with 10 points. Dillard connected on 52.1 percent of their shots and dialed up eight three point baskets.