Sports

Belhaven Men’s Basketball Sets Program Records in 122-90 Win Over Piedmont

Jackson, Miss. — Belhaven University’s men’s basketball team posted a record-breaking performance Saturday, defeating Piedmont 122-90 at Rugg Arena. The Blazers scored at an impressive clip in both halves, showcasing pace, ball movement, and full-court defense from the opening tip, according to school officials.

The 122 points were the third-highest total in program history, and Belhaven now owns two of the three highest scoring games this season. The team also made 47 field goals, their most since Nov. 21, 2009, against Blue Mountain, and recorded at least 30 assists for the first time since Nov. 23, 2016, at Rhodes College, officials said.

Belhaven set the tone early with defensive intensity and transition scoring. After a steal by Dan Robinson, the Blazers turned turnovers into fast-break baskets. Kam Beverly’s dunk capped an early run that energized the home crowd. Piedmont responded with inside finishes from Israel Hall and a transition layup by Jackson Houston, but Belhaven responded with a surge that included a three-pointer by Benjamin Stewart and a putback by Dyllion Redmond.

The team extended its lead midway through the first half with a 15-4 run fueled by ball movement and defensive stops. Robinson intercepted multiple passes, leading to fast-break points, while Braylon Dame hit back-to-back threes to push the lead beyond 20 points. The Blazers closed the half strong, going into the break up 64-45 after shooting 65% in the first 20 minutes.

Belhaven continued its momentum after halftime. Beverly opened with a dunk, and Redmond added a finish inside. When Piedmont’s Houston scored in transition, Belhaven answered with a three from CJ Minton and a fast-break layup by Robinson. Despite a rally from Hall, the Blazers responded with an 18-4 run, highlighted by consecutive three-pointers from Minton and multiple steals leading to transition baskets.

Robinson finished with seven steals, the third-most in program history and the most since 2007. Several steals directly led to fast-break points. Minton, DJ Jones, and Zion Owens each made three-pointers, while McGahan and Beverly added finishes in the paint. The team surpassed 100 points with more than eight minutes remaining and continued to share the ball until the final buzzer, ending with a 122-90 victory.

Belhaven returns to action Thursday at Asbury University, with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m. For updates, follow @BelhavenBlazers on social media or visit their website. Supporters can also contribute through Team Green Giving.

Source: Original Article

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