JACKSON, Miss. - Belhaven Men's Basketball competed throughout Saturday afternoon at Rugg Arena but could not overcome a pair of extended scoring stretches in a 79-63 loss vs. Maryville. The Blazers stayed within striking distance through much of the first half and continued to push in the second, but timely shooting and transition execution by Scots created separation.

Belhaven opened the game with early energy. Neal Terry finished a dunk in the paint on the Blazers' first basket, followed shortly by a three from Benjamin Stewart to build an early lead. CJ Minton added a layup and later knocked down a three as Belhaven stayed in front 7-2 through the opening minutes.

Momentum shifted midway through the half when Jackson Garner sparked a run from the visitors. Garner connected on multiple three-pointers during an extended stretch that turned a one-possession game into a double-digit margin. During that run, additional transition finishes and second-chance baskets pushed the deficit to 14.

Belhaven responded with its best sequence of the half. CJ Minton buried a three, DJ Jones converted at the free-throw line, and Terry added finishes inside to slow the momentum. The Blazers trimmed the margin to 10 late in the half, and a buzzer-beating three from Jones cut the deficit to 40-33 heading into the locker room.

The visitors seized control early in the second half. Chase Morgan finished a fast-break dunk, and Jamal Ware followed with a three-pointer as the margin quickly grew to double digits again. A few possessions later, Garner knocked down another deep three to extend the lead to 17.

Belhaven continued to fight back. Terry scored on a putback, Minton added a layup and free throws and Braylon Dame converted in transition to bring the Blazers within 15 midway through the half. Defensive pressure from Kam Beverly and Dyllion Redmond helped generate steals and transition chances during that stretch.

Each time Belhaven threatened to build momentum, Maryville answered. Ware scored multiple times in the paint, and Garner connected on another transition three to halt a Blazer run and restore a sizable cushion.

Belhaven closed the game with continued effort. Minton knocked down a late three, Beverly scored inside, and Terry added another basket in the paint, but the early second-half surge proved too much to overcome as the game ended at 79-63.

The Blazers have a quick turnaround, hosting Piedmont later this weekend. 

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