MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Belhaven Blazers Men's Basketball team advanced to the second round of the Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament Wednesday afternoon with a 71-63 victory over Auburn University – Montgomery at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex in Montgomery.
Belhaven and AUM had a low playing first half, which saw the Blazers trailing 25-22 at the half. However, seniors
Jordan Bedford and
Jerrial Dawson combined for 29 second half points and seven three pointers to overrun the Warhawks and advance to the quarterfinals.
The Blazers will face No. 2 seed Martin Methodist in the quarterfinals. The game is set for a 2:15 p.m. tip.
Belhaven found itself trailing for most of the second half against the Warhawks, but Dawson started the Green-and-Gold comeback with a couple three pointers that closed the gap.
Bedford came on late, and in a big way for the Blazers. The SSAC's leading scorer was held to just two free throws in the first half after a 0-for-10 effort in the first 20 minutes.
After going just 2-for-4 to start the half, Bedford hit his shooting stride late and didn't miss another one of his seven shots, which started with a three pointer and was followed my three more from deep.
Bedford finished with 20 points in the second half and 22 for the game.
Dawson led the way from behind the arc, sinking five three pointers in the game, attributing to all 15 of his points in the game. Dawson also led the Blazers with four steals in the contest.
Datodrick Pinkston picked up a double-double on the afternoon, leading the Blazers with 10 rebounds while also scoring 10 points for Belhaven.
De'la Mayers was the only other Blazer in double figures, finishing with 11 points.
Mayers also teamed up with
Josh Gaskin in a block party, as both players finished with three blocks in the game. Pinkston also had one to give the Blazers seven for the game.
Belhaven outrebounded the Warkaws 34-31 in the game, including an 8-7 margin on the offensive boards, something the Blazers had not done all season.
The Blazers shot just 39 percent from the field for the game, but managed to sink nine three pointers, four more than the Warhawks.
Thursday's game will be just the second for Belhaven against Martin Methodist this season. The Blazers fell to the Redhawks 94-88 on January 2 in Pulaski, Tenn.
