Sand Mountain Reporter

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Belmont men’s basketball team dropped a 63-60 decision to Eastern Illinois Saturday night.

In their first home game since Nov. 30 and their final game before the Christmas holiday, the Bruins were unable to find any semblance of a rhythm against the purposeful visitors from Charleston, Ill.

Though Belmont sank a season-high 14 3-pointers against Eastern Illinois in the earlier meeting this season, the Panthers made a concerted effort to take away the interior play of sophomore Mick Hedgepeth, of Crossville, who scored a career-high 23 points in the first contest.

Eastern Illinois packed in an active halfcourt zone defense, forcing the Bruins to the perimeter.

Jordan Campbell ripped the nets from long distance to get the Bruins within two, 60-58, with 22 seconds left in the game.

Then after two Tyler Laser free throws, Hedgepeth scored on the offensive glass to again get Belmont within two points, 62-60, with 4.4 seconds left.

On the subsequent inbounds play, Laser was fouled once more. However, he missed the first of two free-throw attempts. He made the second, to give the Panthers a 63-60 lead with 3.8 seconds left.

Needing to go the length of the court in search of a game-tying 3-pointer, Belmont’s deep inbounds pass was tipped away as time expired.

It was a difficult reversal of fortune for the Bruins, who had played expertly on both ends of the floor in winning at Eastern Illinois Nov. 28.

All told, Belmont shot a season-low 36 percent from the field — including 9-for-34 from 3-point distance.

Furthermore, Eastern Illinois shot 61 percent from the floor in the second half.

Ian Clark led Belmont with 13 points. Campbell added 12 and Hedgepeth 10.

The Bruins (7-4, 2-0 Atlantic Sun) return to action following the Christmas holiday on Tuesday at No. 1 Kansas.

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. from historic Allen Fieldhouse. The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU.

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Serving Albertville and the Sand Mountain region

Publisher: Ben Shurett

1603 Progress Drive
Albertville, Alabama 35950

Tel: 256-840-3000 | Email

A Southern Newspapers publication.