JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven Men's Basketball team delivered one of its most complete performances of the season, defeating LaGrange 96-78 to open up CCS play at Rugg Arena on Tuesday afternoon. 

The game opened with both teams running the floor at an extremely fast pace. After falling behind briefly at the free-throw line, Belhaven found its rhythm behind perimeter shooting and activity in the paint.

CJ Minton sparked the Blazers early, knocking down a pair of three-pointers midway through the half to give Belhaven its first momentum swing. Shortly after, Dyllion Redmond attacked the rim for a dunk off offensive rebounds, followed by Neal Terry converting two fast-break free throws to stretch the lead to 14-8.

The visitors responded with interior baskets and second-chance points to keep the game tight, trimming the margin to one possession on multiple occasions. Belhaven answered each push with timely plays. Redmond hit a three from the wing, Braylon Dame scored in transition, and Dan Robinson finished through contact to maintain control.

The most important stretch came late in the half. After the margin was cut to three, Robinson knocked down a deep three in transition, then added another from the top of the key moments later as Belhaven closed on an 11-4 run. The Blazers capped the half at the free-throw line, entering the locker room with a 39-34 lead.

Belhaven took control early in the second half and never let go. Minton opened the period with a jumper, and Benjamin Stewart followed with a layup off a Robinson assist to extend the lead to six.

The defining run came between the 16 and 12-minute marks. Belhaven forced consecutive turnovers and turned them into points, highlighted by, a fast-break layup from Redmond, a three from DJ Jones, back-to-back free throws from Stewart, and a transition three by Robinson.

That 15-6 run pushed the lead to double digits and shifted the momentum firmly in Belhaven's favor.

Defensively, the Blazers protected the paint and disrupted passing lanes. Terry recorded multiple blocks during the stretch, while Stewart and Robinson jumped passing lanes to ignite transition chances.

Belhaven continued to extend the lead with efficiency. Christian McGahan scored inside, Dame buried a corner three, and Minton added another transition triple to push the margin beyond 20. Robinson capped the surge with a tip-in and a late three as the Blazers reached the 90-point mark with just over three minutes remaining.

The Blazers are back in action on Saturday as they host Asbury. Tip-off is set for 4:00 PM.

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