JACKSON - Belhaven Men's Basketball scored their second-most points in a game this season, but a late second-half run from Austin tilted a high-scoring matchup as the Blazers fell 104-98 at Rugg Arena on Tuesday afternoon. The game featured long scoring stretches from both sides and 13 lead changes as the Blazers moved to 2-4 on the season.

Belhaven opened the game with early pace and flow. Neal Terry scored on the opening possession, and Dan Robinson added a strong finish in the lane to put the Blazers ahead 4-2. But the visitors immediately established a pattern that would carry throughout the afternoon, answering Belhaven's makes with quick drives and transition looks to stay close.

The Blazers countered with perimeter shooting. Benjamin Stewart hit a transition three to put Belhaven up 7-4, and Braylon Dame added a deep right-wing triple to extend the lead to 10-6. The visitors kept getting downhill and scoring off broken plays, trimming it to one multiple times, but Belhaven's response was steady.

A strong defensive stretch sparked the Blazers' biggest push of the half. Stewart finished a run-out layup after a turnover, Zion Owens knocked down a catch-and-shoot three for a 13-8 lead, and DJ Jones added a pull-up transition jumper to make it 16-11.

The Roos clawed back with a series of second-chance baskets and a putback inside, but Belhaven surged again. Dame drilled another three to make it 28-34, then converted a fast-break layup and free throw to extend the margin to 31-26.

Belhaven built its largest lead of the half during a 16-6 run. Wallace scored through contact, Owens pushed in a transition layup, and Hays Regard buried a straightaway three to make it 41-32. Robinson closed the run with two driving layups and a pair of free throws for a 47-37 advantage.

The visitors responded with consecutive baskets in the final minute, but Wallace added a late drive to secure a 51-44 Belhaven lead at halftime.

The second half opened with trading blows. Belhaven stretched the lead when Stewart hit a transition three to make it 56-51, but the visitors answered immediately with a drive and finish at the rim. Stewart fired back with another deep three, only for the opposition to respond with a layup in the paint.

Belhaven's best sequence of the second half came shortly after. Dame hit a step-back three to make it 63-59. Robinson followed with a pull-up three in transition, and Terry threw down a two-handed fast-break dunk to stretch the advantage to 71-64 with 14 minutes left.

Austin then launched their first major push of the half. They scored on a drive, hit a jumper from the baseline, added a second-chance tip-in, and used a transition finish to cut the Belhaven lead to 72-70. After a Blazer miss, the visitors scored again at the rim to tie it 72-72.

Belhaven regained control briefly. Stewart knocked down another three for a 75-72 edge. Dame added two free throws for 78-74. Owens scored at the rim for 79-71 shortly before the visitors began their biggest run of the game.

When the dust settled, the Blazers trailed 90-88 with just under six minutes left.

Belhaven kept punching back. Jones buried a huge wing three to reclaim a 91-90 lead and Dame tied the game at 93-93 with free throws following a foul on a rebound.

But each time the Blazers answered, the Roos struck back. They scored on a drive to go ahead 95-93, then added a run-out layup after a steal for a four-point margin. Belhaven trimmed it again when Christian McGahan fought for a tip-in and later hit a jumper to make it 100-97 with 90 seconds remaining.

After another defensive stop, Belhaven pulled within 100-98 on Dame's free throw with 47 seconds left, setting up a chance to tie or take the lead. But the visitors scored on a putback after an offensive rebound to go up four. A Blazer turnover on the next possession forced an intentional foul, and Austin converted free throws in the final seconds to close out the 104-98 final.

The Blazers will enjoy a few days off before heading to Columbus to take on MUW on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 3:00 PM.

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