JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven Men's Basketball team picked up a crucial victory in Southern States Athletic Conference play on Saturday, defeating No. 19 Bethel University 69-63.
 
The win for the Blazers is the first against a ranked opponent under head coach Jonathan Vines.
 
Belhaven trailed for much of the first half, but kept the Wildcats close after holding them to just 34 percent shooting while capitalizing on free throws and opportunities in the paint.
 
After coming out of the half time break trailing 34-32, Belhaven quickly equalized with Bethel and slowly pulled past the Wildcats with 44 percent shooting and three pointers.
 
Jerrial Dawson hit a couple of those three pointers as he led the Blazers with 19 points in the game. Dawson connected on four shots from beyond the arc and also pulled down six rebounds in the game.
 
Jordan Bedford (14) and Josh Gaskin (10) were the other Blazers in double figures on the night.
 
Datodrick Pinkston and De'la Mayers each finished with nine points. Mayers also finished with two blocks in the game.
 
Pinkston also finished with six rebounds, as he and Dawson led the Blazers in the category.
 
Gaskin and Dycus Juste each finished with five rebounds.
 
Pinkston led the way for the Blazers in the assist column, picking up four in the game.
 
Belhaven was able to overcome being outrebounded 44-32 by allowing just 14 second-chance points. The Blazers were had just 10 offensive boards to Bethel's 20, but Belhaven was able to convert theirs into 15 second-chance points.
 
The Blazers will look carry the momentum to Thursday when the Green and Gold welcomes rival William Carey to Rugg Arena. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.