JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven University men's basketball team knocked off the top team in the American Southwest Conference Thursday night, defeating the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor by a final score of 97-91.
With the win, Belhaven improved to 6-5 overall and 3-2 in the ASC. Belhaven's four game win streak is the longest win streak since the 2011-12 season and longest since joining the American Southwest Conference in 2015.
Additionally, the teams overall start is the best start since joining the ASC and best eleven game start since 2010.
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INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Belhaven 97 | UMHB 91
Records: Belhaven (6-5) (2-3 ASC) | UMHB (12-2) (3-2 ASC)
Location: Rugg Arena | Jackson, Miss.
Get Social: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram | @BelhavenBlazers | www.blazers.belhaven.edu
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- UMHB got off to a hot start, scoring seventeen points in the first three and a half minutes of play to take a commanding 17-6 lead.
- After a Belhaven timeout, the Green and Gold began to settle in and match the overall play of the Cru, utilizing a 16-5 run and a Tommy McCoy layup to tie the ball game up at 22-22.
- Seconds later, Rick Hodum drilled a three pointer to give Belhaven a 25-22 lead with eight minutes remaining until halftime.
- Belhaven never trailed for the rest of the half as the Blazers dominated the court in all phases to take a 42-30 lead into the break over the top ranked team in the ASC.
- UMHB turned the momentum back into their favor in the first few moments of the seconds half as they tied the Blazers and went ahead by one point 51-50, just five minutes into the second half.
- John Works put Belhaven back on top with a layup to give the green and gold the 52-51 lead. That was the final time the Blazers trailed in the contest.
- Belhaven fending off the Cru for the remaining minutes, as the Cru closed within just one possession multiple times throughout the second half, yet Belhaven began to pull away in the last few seconds of the game, winning 97-91 and defeating the ASC's number one team up until that point.
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KEY STATISTICS
- Kelvin Pruitt and Brosnan Cooks each finished with a team high 19 points in the contest. Cooks had a team high in rebound with nine while Pruitt had four rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
- Laramie Long finished with 17 points and six rebounds. Long was a dominate force in the second half as he made multiple key plays in all phases of the game to help keep Belhaven's lead over the Cru.
- Joseph Jones added 11 points and Tommy McCoy and Justin Jones finished with eight points a piece.
- Belhaven shot 49.2 percent from the field (30-61) and 31.3 percent from three point territory (10-32).
- As a team, 38 points in the paint and 53 points from the bench.
- Belhaven improved to 6-5 overall and 3-2 in the ASC. Belhaven's four game win streak is the longest win streak since the 2011-12 season and longest since joining the American Southwest Conference in 2015.
- Belhaven's overall start is the best start since joining the ASC and best eleven game start since 2010.
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UP NEXT
The Blazers will return to Rugg Arena this Saturday, January 5, to take on Concordia University. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m.
For the latest news on Belhaven Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.
