In a down to the wire finish, the Belmont women’s basketball team earned their fourth straight victory by defeating Austin Peay 69-67 at the Curb Event Center Monday night.
With less than 40 seconds left in the game, senior Jordyn Luffman set Adrienne Tarrence up for the eventual game winning jumper.
“I was really excited with the perseverance and character we displayed tonight and fighting for the whole game,” said Belmont coach Cameron Newbauer. “We had a goal to hold them under 35 points each half and we did that.”
Four Bruins earned double figures led by freshman forward Lauren Thompson with 14 points. Frankie Joubran and Taylor Mills each scored 13 points while Luffman added 12 points.
“I thought we came out throwing the first punch and definitely feel like we had more heart in this game and played as a team,” Joubran said.
While both teams initially had trouble scoring, the Bruins eventually opened the game with layups from Joubran and Luffman to put Belmont up 4-0.
With 13:08 remaining, a layup and subsequent free throw from the Lady Govs’ Nicole Olszewski tied the game at 11.
Belmont regained the lead behind an 8-0 run capped off by a three pointer from Joubran. A steal from Luffman set up Katie Carroll to put the Bruins up 25-16 and forced Austin Peay to call a timeout.
The Lady Governors pulled within five behind a long-range three and jumper from Kristen Stainback with less than four minutes remaining in the half, sending Belmont into halftime with a one point lead.
Both teams exchanged the lead in the opening minutes of the second half until Thompson found Mills on the right wing for a three pointer, sparking 5-0 run to give Belmont a 52-48 lead.
Consecutive threes from Mills and Carroll gave Belmont a six point lead and forced Austin Peay to burn their second timeout of the game. Minutes later, a floater from Stainback tied the game at 60 with only three minutes remaining.
The connection from Luffman to Tarrence and a pair of free throws from Mills sealed the victory for Belmont.
Belmont returns to the Curb Event Center on Saturday to host crosstown rival Tennessee State. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m.
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