MONDAY'S SCORES
Belmont 93, @Lipscomb 84
BELMONT 93, LIPSCOMB 84
NASHVILLE - Behind 27 points from junior Evan Bradds, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Lipscomb, 93-84, Monday night.
The Bruins scored 11 of the first 15 points and led virtually wire to wire. A three-pointer from sophomore Austin Luke and one free throw from freshman Kevin McClain gave Belmont a 27-17 lead less than 10 minutes in.
But the Bruins then endured a rare four minute scoring drought as Lipscomb closed within four points. Two Bradds free throws and a layin from sophomore Amanze Egekeze stretched the margin back to eight, 31-23, at the 6:03 mark.
But sparked by the bench contributions of Garrison Mathews and Eli Pepper, Lipscomb closed within 40-36 at halftime.
Belmont shot 54 percent (15-for-28) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 4-for-13 from three-point distance. Taylor Barnette led Belmont with 11 first half points.
After Lipscomb seized a brief 49-48 lead with 15:45 left on a Nathan Moran three-pointer, Bradds and senior Craig Bradshaw sparked a 15-6 Bruin run. A twisting Bradshaw three-pointer and a floater from freshman Dylan Windler increased the lead to 63-55 with 11:00 remaining.
The host Bisons would close within five points three times, but the Bruins answered each time.
Two McClain free throws and five points from Bradds pushed the advantage to 10, 80-70, with 3:57 to go. Luke would complete the key 7-0 run with a driving layin.
All told, Belmont shot 57 percent (32-for-56) from the field - including 61 percent in the second half. Bradds went 9-for-10 from the field and 9-for-9 from the free throw line, adding eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Bradshaw added 19 points, while Luke had 12 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.
Josh Williams led Lipscomb (3-8) with 21 points.