Saturday, January 12, 2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Among the all-time classics in the storied history of the 'Battle of the Boulevard' series, Belmont Basketball outlasted host Lipscomb Saturday afternoon, 99-91, in double overtime.

Belmont, still seething from a setback at Campbell one week ago - not to mention three consecutive losses at Allen Arena in the impassioned Nashville rivalry - came out determined early. The Bruins created several Lipscomb turnovers in the first five minutes, and BU capitalized on those opportunities. A three-pointer from junior Matthew Dotson (Centerville, Tenn.) gave Belmont a 14-8 lead five minutes in.

Then following two LaKory Daniels free throws, the Bruins ripped off an 11-0 scoring run, capped by a trey from junior Henry Harris (Nashville, Tenn.), to lead 25-10.

Lipscomb again trimmed the margin to nine before junior Alex Renfroe (Hermitage, Tenn.) punctuated a 9-0 Bruin spurt giving BU its largest lead, 36-18, with 6:50 in the first half.

Behind its invigorated halfcourt defense and solid bench contributions from Renfroe and sophomore Keaton Belcher (Butler, Ky.), Belmont took a 43-31 lead at halftime.