Box Score DALTON, Ga. – The Belhaven men's basketball team lost a heartbreaker at the buzzer to 23rd ranked Cumberland University (TN) on Friday night at the Carpet City Classic hosted by Dalton State College. The Bulldogs Marq Hickerson sunk a jump shot as time expired as Cumberland slipped past the Blazers 60-58.

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The game was tightly contested with neither team enjoying a lead larger than seven points the entire night. Belhaven (4-5) led by as many as six points midway through the first half while Cumberland (10-0) built a seven point edge with just over seven minutes left in the game. Friday's contest also featured nine ties and six leads changes.

Cumberland jumped out to a 13-10 lead following a field goal from Daniel McFadden with 14:22 to go in the first half. However, Belhaven countered with a 9-0 run capped on a free throw by Jordan Bedford with 9:06 to go in the opening half to build their largest lead at 19-13. It would set the stage for the back and forth battle that would ensue throughout the night.

The Bulldogs then surged back in front and owned a 30-27 lead at the break before enjoying one of two seven point leads at 56-49 with 6:40 remaining in the game. With limited time at their disposal, the Blazers started the comeback on solid shooting by Deon Bedford, Curt Hall, and Jordan Bedford. Jordan Bedford's triple with 1:14 left knotted the score at 58-58 and completed the 9-2 Belhaven run that was responsible for tying the contest up.

Both sides had chances in the final minute to produce the go ahead basket, but to no avail until Hickerson's game winner. Belhaven had a pair of misses and then a costly turnover that led to the final Bulldog bucket ended scoring opportunities. The Blazers lost control of the ball with less than five seconds to go in regulation and Hickerson was there to pick it up. He then quickly raced to the other end of the floor and sunk the shot in the paint as time expired.

Jordan Bedford led Belhaven with 16 points followed by Deon Bedord who poured in 14 points off the bench. Jonathan Ratliff finished the night with a team high six rebounds while Chris Cofield paced the team with four assists in addition to his eight points.

The Blazers were 22 of 52 from the field (42.3%) and 12 of 17 at the free throw line (70.6%). Belhaven was out-rebounded by the Bulldogs 36-33.

Hickerson guided Cumberland with a game high 17 points while teammate Lamar Brinkley contributed 12 points and a game high eight rebounds. Kenneth Stripling and Cameron Prather each dished out three assists.

The Bulldogs made good on 23 of 57 shots from the field (40.4%) and converted 7 of 11 attempts from the charity stripe (63.6%). Cumberland also hit seven three point baskets which ended up playing a major role in the outcome. The Blazers were limited to 2 of 10 from long distance Friday night.

The Blazers will be back on the court on day two of the Carpet City Christmas Classic Saturday night when they take on the host school Dalton State College at 7:00 PM.