Women's Basketball Dismantles the Beacons
- Reece Leddy
- 26 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Belmont took Valparaiso apart in a dominant performance, defeating the Beacons 77-37 Sunday afternoon at the Curb Event Center.
Belmont’s offense started strong, scoring seven points within the 2 1/2 minutes before allowing the Beacons to get their first bucket in the paint.
The Bruins never let off the gas, finishing the first quarter with 21 points compared to Valparaiso’s 10.
“Every game has a life of its own, so any given day anyone in our conference can come out and beat anybody. It was important for us to get a good start,” junior guard Jailyn Banks said.
Valparaiso’s personal fouls made it difficult for the Beacons to stay within striking distance, as Belmont shot five-for-six from the field in the second quarter.
With consistent jumpers, layups and even 3-pointers from players off the bench, Belmont built a 21-point lead by halftime.
Graduate guard Avery Strickland opened the second half by scoring consecutively from the paint to beyond the arc.
Any time Valparaiso attempted to rally, the Bruins answered with a run of their own, continuing to extend the lead.
“We had really good stretches of sharing the ball, attacking the space on the floor and staying connected on both ends,” Brooks said. “What we did defensively led to a lot of what we got offensively, which helped create separation and carry that into the second half.”
Four players reached double figures by the end of the match.
Banks, who has scored in double figures in 16 of the 17 games she has played this season, continued her strong performance in the third quarter, scoring 11 points.
By the end of the third quarter, Belmont had built a 30-point lead.Valparaiso opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer from junior forward Kayla Preston, bringing its total to 36 points, the final field goal of the game.
Belmont kept adding to the score and building the deficit even further for the Beacons, a foul from junior center KK Brodie gave the Beacons their last free throw point.
With four and a half minutes remaining, freshman guard Kate McGinnis scored Belmont’s final basket, sealing the Bruins’ victory.
Belmont improved to 16-9 overall, while Valparaiso fell to 0-26.
The Bruins will travel to Normal, Illinois to face Illinois State on Friday at 6:30 p.m.