Written by
The Sports Network
Murfreesboro, TN (Sports Network) - J.J. Mann scored 19 points off the bench
to lead the Belmont Bruins to a thrilling 87=84 double-overtime win against
Middle Tennessee to claim the Maui Invitational Regional championship at the
Murphy Center.
Mann was 8-of-13 from the field in the game for Belmont (2-2), which also
received double digit scoring from Kerron Johnson and Adam Barnes, who
finished with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Middle Tennessee (4-1) lost for the first time this season, despite strong
outings from LaRon Dendy, Raymond Cintron and Marcos Knight. Dendy led the
team with 19 points, on 7-of-11 shooting. Cintron poured in 18 points off the
bench, while Knight posted a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bruins got off to a fast start, leading 26-11 at one point in the first
half, before the host Blue Raiders closed the gap to just 35-34 at the
intermission.
Belmont had a eight-point lead with two minutes left in the game, but once
again Middle Tennessee battled back to tie things up.
The Blue Raiders scored the first five points in the first overtime, but this
time it was the Bruins that responded to force a second extra session. Mann
took over from that point on, including seven straight points that gave the
team a five-point cushion, leading to the three-point win.
The Bruins took advantage of 19 Middle Tennessee turnovers, turning them into
23 points.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network
You Might Be Interested In