Belhaven opened its 2026-27 men’s basketball season with an 86-79 victory over Centenary on Friday at Rugg Arena in Jackson, Mississippi. The Blazers closed the game with a decisive 10-0 run and earned their fourth consecutive season-opening win.
Centenary led 74-70 with 5:30 remaining before Minton tied the score with four straight free throws. Devin McCaine put Belhaven in front with an offensive rebound and putback, then Kam Beverly scored on two dunks to finish the run. The second basket came off a behind-the-back assist from Minton and made it 80-74 with 3:01 to play.
The Gents pulled within three with 1:54 remaining, but Belhaven kept them from making a field goal until the final 11 seconds. Minton made two free throws with 28 seconds left, and DJ Jones went 4-for-4 from the line in the final eight seconds to seal the win. Belhaven outscored Centenary 16-5 over the final 5:30.
Minton led Belhaven with 18 points and went 10-for-10 at the free-throw line. Mancell, making his Belhaven debut, had 17 points, 10 rebounds and a game-high six steals. Freshman Noah Sensing scored 11 points off the bench, including three 3-pointers. Beverly finished with eight points, nine rebounds, four assists, four blocks and three steals.
Belhaven forced 29 turnovers and scored 27 points off them, while recording 16 steals and six blocks. The Blazers also outrebounded Centenary 51-46, including 17 offensive rebounds. Despite shooting 34.2% from the field and 23.3% from 3-point range, Belhaven made 15 of 18 free throws in the second half.
Donnie Haney led Centenary with 22 points off the bench. Nicholas Addison added 15 points and eight rebounds, and Kellen Biley scored 14. Centenary fell to 0-1.
The win was Belhaven’s second straight season-opening victory under coach Boomer Roberts. The Blazers also have won three straight against Centenary and lead the series 3-2 since 2015. Belhaven is scheduled to visit Southeastern Baptist in Laurel, Mississippi, on Wednesday, with tipoff set for 6 p.m.
