Saturday, January 29, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Behind a program record tying 18 steals and a Curb Event Center record 29 turnovers forced, Belmont defeated FGCU, 89-56, in the A-Sun/CSS Game of the Week.

The Bruins and Eagles were both efficient offensively early, with four ties marking the opening four minutes. But after two Tim Snyder free throws tied the score at eight, the Bruins used an 18-0 run to seize control.

Two interior baskets from junior Scott Saunders (New Orleans, La.) and three points from freshman Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) got the spurt started. And as Eagle turnovers mounted, Bruin three-point shooting heated up.

Consecutive three-pointers from senior Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.), sophomore Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) and junior Drew Hanlen (St. Louis, Mo.) pushed the lead to 24-8 with 12:26 left in the half.

Junior Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) capped the run with a layin off a Hanlen feed.

Hunter Miller ended the 5:28 scoring drought for Florida Gulf Coast with a putback basket.

Twice more the Bruin lead would swell back to 18 - on baskets from freshman J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) and sophomore Trevor Noack (Keller, Texas). But just as Belmont appeared on the verge of building a virtually insurmountable lead by halftime, FGCU inched closer behind the play of Anthony Banks and Christophe Varidel.

Five Varidel points to close the half gave Belmont a 42-32 lead at halftime.