Belmont women’s basketball extended its winning streak to three with a 72-64 victory over Southern Illinois on Sunday.
The Bruins opened up the first quarter with a rocky start.
Tessa Miller exited early in the first quarter with a foul and turnover within the first minute.
“Each team in the league has a totally different style you never know how they're going to defend, what they’re really gonna plan to take away,” said Miller.
But Jailyn Banks kept the offense with five early first quarter points to keep the Bruins’ flow going.
This inconsistent play would continue through the half as both teams would combine for 19 turnovers and 19 fouls.
The game would remain tied at the half at 28-28 with neither team really taking an edge over the other.
“They made it tough on us and I thought in the first half we struggled offensively and defensively,” said head coach Bart Brooks.
Following halftime, the Bruins would come out with a fiery offensive showing.
Tessa Miller had the hot hand scoring nine of Belmont’s third quarter points.
Miller and Banks would combine for 39 of the Bruins’ 72 points.
“The biggest focus for us is just focusing on ourself, executing what we’ll do. Then the rest we’ll take care of it,” said Miller.
The Bruins would outscore the Salukis 22-10 to take a 12 point lead going into the fourth quarter.
The Bruins would continue their lead by keeping pace with Southern Illinois through the fourth quarter, winning the game 72-64.
But even with their third-consecutive win, the Bruins have had stretches where they have struggled over the last month.
“It’s gonna pay off in the long run, these moments of adversity that we’re dealing with theres not gonna be all sunshine and rainbows when you play basketball in a good league,” said Brooks.
The Bruins will play their next game in the Curb Event Center against heated rival Murray State on Friday.
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This article was written by Braden Simmons