LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, GA. - The Belhaven Men's Basketball team continued its strong start to conference play Friday night, earning an 87-78 road victory at Barnes Physical Education Center at Covenant. The Blazers controlled the game from the opening minutes, built separation with extended scoring runs in both halves, and closed out several scoring runs with timely baskets.

Belhaven (9-7, 3-0 CCS) set the tone immediately with defensive pressure and activity around the rim. Neal Terry opened the scoring with a three-pointer, followed by CJ Minton connecting from deep on the next trip to give the Blazers a quick 6-0 lead.

After the home team briefly responded inside, Belhaven answered with its first major run of the night. A layup from Kam Beverly, a three from DJ Jones, and a dunk from Beverly capped a 9-2 stretch that pushed the margin to double digits. The Blazers continued to force turnovers and convert in transition, with Terry scoring twice in the paint off assists from Dan Robinson to extend the lead to 19-6.

Belhaven maintained control through the middle portion of the half. Robinson attacked downhill for a pair of baskets, Braylon Dame and CJ Minton finished in transition, and Benjamin Stewart added a key three as the lead grew to 29-13.

The Scots used a series of fast-break finishes to trim the deficit to single digits late in the half, but Belhaven closed strong. Stewart drilled a three, Minton answered with another from the wing, and Dyllion Redmond threw down a fast-break dunk after a steal to restore momentum. Robinson scored in the final minute to send Belhaven into halftime with a 44-37 lead.

The Blazers absorbed early pressure to open the second half as the margin was briefly cut to three. The Blazers responded calmly. Jones knocked down a three to stop the run, followed by another triple on the next possession to spark an important 9-0 stretch that pushed the lead back to double digits.

With the lead reestablished, Belhaven continued to control the game with balanced scoring. Dame converted at the free-throw line, Robinson finished through contact, and Terry protected the rim on the defensive end during a key stretch that limited second-chance opportunities.

The Blazers' most decisive run came midway through the half. Redmond finished on the break, Stewart added a transition layup after a steal, and Minton buried a three to extend the advantage to 77-62 with just over five minutes remaining.

The home team made one final push, trimming the margin to six with under two minutes left, but Belhaven closed the game with poise. Stewart and Robinson combined to go 6-for-6 at the free-throw line in the final minute, sealing the 87-78 victory.

Belhaven finished with 58 rebounds, scored 24 second-chance points, and added 31 points off turnovers, while holding Covenant to 15.4 percent shooting from three.

The Blazers head to Maryville tomorrow for the second game of a back-to-back. The Scots and the Blazers are the two lone undefeated teams in the CCS. Tip-off is set for 3:00 PM CST.

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