Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Ian Clark poured in 26 points and Kerron
Johnson had 23 points and seven assists, as the top-seeded Belmont Bruins took
down the fourth-seeded Tennessee State Tigers, 82-73, in the semifinal round
of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament at Municipal Auditorium.
Clark drained 6-of-10 from 3-point range for Belmont (25-6), which will take
on the winner of Eastern Kentucky/Murray State in Saturday's championship
game. J.J. Mann added 13 points and four steals for the Bruins, while Blake
Jenkins tallied 10 points and seven rebounds.
For TSU (18-14), Kellen Thornton (22 points, 12 rebounds) and Patrick Miller
(17 points, 12 assists) both logged double-doubles, while Robert Covington had
16 points, six rebounds and five blocks but also seven turnovers.
Belmont shot just 36.4 percent from the field in the first half, including 0-
of-10 from beyond the arc, but it still carried a 32-29 lead into intermission
by outscoring TSU at the foul line, 8-4.
The Bruins heated up in the second half, draining 55.6 percent of their field
goal attempts and seven 3-pointers as they held off the Tigers.
TSU was plagued by 21 turnovers, while Belmont committed just 11 miscues.
GAME NOTES:
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