#BelmontAthletics

Mar 30, 2022
3 min

Belmont softball breezes by TSU for program record

Riding a nine-game winning streak into the beginning of the week, the Belmont softball team took to the diamond Tuesday afternoon for a doubleheader against Ohio Valley Conference rival Tennessee State University at E.S. Rose Park. Winning their first contest after five innings with a 10-2 score, the Bruins became the fourth team in program history to win 10 games in a row — the longest streak since 1995. The Bruins continued their red-hot momentum into game two, shutting out

Celebrating the women of Belmont Athletics on National Girls and Women in Sports Day

Belmont Vision

Feb 2, 2022
3 min

Celebrating the women of Belmont Athletics on National Girls and Women in Sports Day

They play as kids in knee-length jerseys and as D-I athletes in college colors. They fall and fail. They rise again to raise trophies. They’re questioned for becoming parents or proving critics wrong. But girls and women in sport show up. They show up to make an impact, to have fun, to break records, to support their teammates, to represent, and on Wednesday, girls and women in sports are celebrated. National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Feb. 2 recognizes those who work t

Men’s tennis defends the den with strong singles performances against Lipscomb

Gus Sneh

Jan 31, 2022
2 min

Men’s tennis defends the den with strong singles performances against Lipscomb

The Boulevard is still Belmont’s after the Bruins aced Lipscomb University 5-2 Friday night. Only the second faceoff on the spring schedule, men’s tennis is still getting into the swing of things for the season but was able to bring home another win after triumphing over Lee University on Jan. 22. After losing the doubles point to the Bisons, the Bruins began play on the shaky side, but Belmont’s redemption was in sight when it came to the singles matches. “They have a really

Belmont track and field wreaks more havoc on university record books at Vanderbilt Invitational

Belmont Vision

Jan 26, 2022
3 min

Belmont track and field wreaks more havoc on university record books at Vanderbilt Invitational

Following an impressive season start at the Commodore Challenge, the Belmont track and field teams made the short drive back to Vanderbilt University where yet another school record fell at the Friday-Saturday meet. The weekend’s Vanderbilt Invitational hosted notable programs like Southeastern Conference’s University of Mississippi, University of Kentucky and Vanderbilt itself, alongside Arkansas State University, Georgia State University and the University of Memphis. These

Narrow loss to Tennessee Tech, Bruins remain No. 1 in OVC

Sarah Maninger

Jan 22, 2022
3 min

Narrow loss to Tennessee Tech, Bruins remain No. 1 in OVC

This week’s winter storms brought rain, sleet, snow and a warmed-up Tennessee Tech team ready to face off against the No. 1 ranked Bruins. Belmont women’s basketball took on the Golden Eagles Saturday in the Curb Event Center, but despite the home-court advantage, the visitors from Cookeville, Tennessee, won out 57-55. The win for the Golden Eagles moves them from fourth to third place in the Ohio Valley Conference, but Belmont still remains on top. Tech led Belmont for most

Track and field shatters school records at indoor opening weekend in the Commodore Challenge

AJ Wuest

Jan 18, 2022
2 min

Track and field shatters school records at indoor opening weekend in the Commodore Challenge

Belmont track and field had a rust-buster to remember with three program records broken at the Commodore Challenge, kicking of their indoor season in fine form. Hosted by neighbor Vanderbilt University at its multipurpose facility down the road from Belmont, 14 universities competed Friday and Saturday, including Southeastern Conference’s Auburn University, Atlantic Coast Conference’s Georgia Tech and several Ohio Valley Conference schools. This marked the first time since Fe

Women ascend to OVC’s No. 1 while men fall hard at Saturday’s doubleheader against Murray Stat

AJ Wuest

Jan 16, 2022
4 min

Women ascend to OVC’s No. 1 while men fall hard at Saturday’s doubleheader against Murray Stat

The women’s basketball team rose to the occasion while the men failed to execute against Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State University. Distance shooting was the name of the game for the women, who downed 10 3-pointers to bring home a 67-52 victory in the Curb Event Center on Saturday. The men followed in poorer form, shooting an inefficient 3-point percentage of 21.7% as the Racers upset the Bruins’ eight-game winning streak 82-60. Bartley leads the charge for the wom

Belmont Athletics brings fall 2021 to a close, delivering hard work and hardware for a record-breaki

Jessica Mattsson

Jan 1, 2022
4 min

Belmont Athletics brings fall 2021 to a close, delivering hard work and hardware for a record-breaki

As Belmont enters its spring semester, some student-athletes look forward to their seasons while some reflect on the successes of the fall. Through the struggle and stress of the student-athlete lifestyle, Belmont’s cross-country, soccer and volleyball players followed through in the university’s final Ohio Valley Conference season. Belmont Athletics collectively gained one glorious conference win, two second-place finishes and two tournament appearances from the five teams c

Auburn outpaces women’s basketball in a close game on Belmont’s home court

Jessica Mattsson

Dec 18, 2021
3 min

Auburn outpaces women’s basketball in a close game on Belmont’s home court

After running low on time and points, Belmont women’s basketball fell to the Auburn Tigers 71-62 on Wednesday night. Facing SEC powerhouse Auburn University at home in the Curb Event Center, the Bruins were in for a fight for the final game of the fall semester. The team returned home for the Auburn game after a tough away loss Dec. 5 against No. 6 University of Louisville, and they filed into the Curb ready to try and rebound against the Power Five school from Alabama. Belmo

Igniting conversation about athletes’ mental health: ‘it’s OK not to be OK’

Jessica Mattsson

Dec 14, 2021
7 min

Igniting conversation about athletes’ mental health: ‘it’s OK not to be OK’

Simone Biles said ‘no’ at the Tokyo Olympics. Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open. Kevin Love left the NBA court mid-game. In leaving the game, they shook the sports world, and media outlets ravenously sought an explanation. Athletes are relied on for their strength and skill; they’re not supposed to throw in the towel. So why did these athletes take a step back from the sports they love? The answers: because of stress and the demand to perform. Because of social anxiet

Senior Spotlight: Jamilyn Kinney is sticking with her sport to the end

Jessica Mattsson

Dec 9, 2021
4 min

Senior Spotlight: Jamilyn Kinney is sticking with her sport to the end

Jamilyn Kinney’s past, present and future is basketball. And her lifelong dedication to the sport is taking her places. Collecting All-Ohio Valley Conference honors since her sophomore year with the Belmont Bruins and playing a crucial role through the women’s basketball team’s road to the 2019 and 2021 NCAA Tournaments, the senior guard has achieved a lot throughout her athletic career. “Looking back at it now, it’s like, how the heck did I get here?” Kinney said. In Van Bu

Freshman Kwesi Mensah downs half-court basket for free tuition

AJ Wuest

Dec 3, 2021
2 min

Freshman Kwesi Mensah downs half-court basket for free tuition

It was the shot of a lifetime. And it went in — nothing but net. Belmont freshman Paa Kwesi Mensah did the unthinkable Thursday night in the Curb Event Center and made the infamous half-court shot to get his next semester’s tuition paid in full. The feat has not been accomplished since Jan. 21, 2018, but Mensah ended the drought at the Belmont men’s game against Lipscomb University. The biology freshman drew inspiration from the great Michael Jordan, he said. “I watched ‘The

The Boulevard belongs to Belmont in the 75th showing of historic basketball rivalry

Landen Secrest

Dec 3, 2021
5 min

The Boulevard belongs to Belmont in the 75th showing of historic basketball rivalry

Belmont basketball emerged victorious Thursday night as the men’s and women’s teams triumphed over hometown rival Lipscomb University in the 75th Battle of the Boulevard. Both the Bruins and the Bisons were well-represented in the stands; students and fans filled the Curb Event Center to near-full capacity, bringing energy and exhilaration to Belmont’s home court. Among the standout Bruins of the night, guard Tuti Jones scored a career-high 29 points for the women’s team, hel

After two tournament wins, Belmont basketball falls to Dayton in the 2021 ESPN Events Invitational f

AJ Wuest

Nov 30, 2021
3 min

After two tournament wins, Belmont basketball falls to Dayton in the 2021 ESPN Events Invitational f

Following two victories that propelled them to the final game, the Belmont men came up short in a nail-biting 63-61 loss to the University of Dayton at the ESPN Events Invitational Championship Sunday night. Belmont, alongside seven schools including the University of Alabama, University of Kansas and University of North Texas, competed in the annual basketball tournament at Walt Disney World Resort, which took place over Thanksgiving weekend. “Quality of opponents, three gam

Recap: Bruins struggle to find the net in LSU away game

Landen Secrest

Nov 24, 2021
2 min

Recap: Bruins struggle to find the net in LSU away game

Belmont’s three-game winning streak came to a close Thursday after the men’s basketball fell short to Louisiana State University on the road. The contest closed up at 83-53 in favor of the Tigers — a high-profile opponent on Belmont’s 2021-22 schedule. The Bruins missed scoring opportunities and fell behind in points from turnovers at the Baton Rouge contest, and the team struggled with an inefficient shooting percentage of 32.3% from the floor and 25.6% from 3-point distance

Belmont basketball architect Rick Byrd named to National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

Jessica Mattsson

Nov 23, 2021
3 min

Belmont basketball architect Rick Byrd named to National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

It’s official: Former Belmont men’s basketball head coach Rick Byrd is an NCAA legend after his National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame induction Sunday. “I am overwhelmed, humbled, and feel a great sense of gratitude to receive this ultimate recognition for those in our profession,” Byrd said in a statement to Belmont Athletics. Posting a .797 winning percentage in conference play, Byrd ranks second all-time among Division 1 coaches in that category, leading the Bruins t

Men’s basketball launches epic comeback at home with overtime win against Furman

Landen Secrest

Nov 16, 2021
3 min

Men’s basketball launches epic comeback at home with overtime win against Furman

In an intense battle rescued by some late-game heroics, Belmont secured a 95-89 overtime victory at Monday’s match against Furman University. The Bruins’ second home game of the season had the Curb Event Center charged with adrenaline as they battled one of mid-major basketball’s stand-out teams. “It was two great teams that are gonna win a lot of games,” said Belmont head coach Casey Alexander. “It had to be fun for everyone to watch and be a part of.” The Furman Paladins, p

Recap: Bruins fall short of SoCon Championship title in 3-4 thriller

David Pang

Nov 15, 2021
3 min

Recap: Bruins fall short of SoCon Championship title in 3-4 thriller

Belmont men’s soccer lost by one goal in a dramatic bout against Mercer University at the Southern Conference Championship game. Though it seemed the Bruins would hold their early 2-0 lead, the tides shifted in the dying minutes of the first half, leaving them to fight to a bitter 3-4 defeat. The game marks the second season in a row head coach David Costa’s squad has made it to the conference finale and left defeated. Mercer’s Bears struggled getting started in the beginning

Belmont Athletics welcomes Steve Layman to the broadcast team

Jessica Mattsson

Nov 11, 2021
2 min

Belmont Athletics welcomes Steve Layman to the broadcast team

When Belmont men’s basketball broadcasts its first home game of the season Saturday, there will be a new voice calling the play-by-plays. Belmont announced Thursday that NewsChannel 5 Nasvhille’s Steve Layman would replace current lead broadcaster John Freeman, who was hired in early August but revealed Monday he would be leaving for his alma mater, University of Virginia, before the start of the Bruins’ season. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to call Belmont basketbal

Men’s and women’s basketball open on the road with mixed results

AJ Wuest

Nov 10, 2021
3 min

Men’s and women’s basketball open on the road with mixed results

Belmont’s women’s basketball team shined in Chattanooga, Tennessee, while the men trailed in Athens, Ohio, in the first games of the much anticipated 2021-22 season. Both basketball teams returned to the court Tuesday night with openers on the road. Cruising to a convincing 88-70 victory, the women defeated the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in its opening game, starting out on a high note in the Bruins’ final season with the Ohio Valley Conference. Sophomore forward