Jackson, Miss. — Belhaven men’s basketball hosted Maryville on Saturday afternoon at Rugg Arena. The Blazers stayed competitive early but couldn’t overcome extended scoring runs by the Scots, who won 79-63.
Belhaven opened with energy, with Neal Terry finishing a dunk and Benjamin Stewart hitting a three to give the Blazers an early 7-2 lead. CJ Minton added a layup and a three, helping Belhaven maintain a lead through the first few minutes.
However, Jackson Garner sparked a run for Maryville, hitting multiple three-pointers that turned a one-possession game into a double-digit lead for the visitors. The Scots’ transition offense and second-chance baskets pushed the margin to 14 points.
The Blazers responded with a strong stretch, as CJ Minton hit a three, DJ Jones made free throws, and Terry scored inside to cut the deficit to 10 by halftime, with the score 40-33 in favor of Maryville.
In the second half, Maryville quickly extended its lead. Chase Morgan scored on a fast-break dunk, Jamal Ware drained a three, and Garner hit another deep shot to increase the lead to 17. Belhaven fought back, with Terry, Minton, and Braylon Dame scoring to bring the margin down to 15 midway through the half.
Despite the effort, Maryville answered each run. Ware scored multiple times in the paint, and Garner hit another transition three to re-establish a sizable cushion. The Scots held on down the stretch, sealing the victory with a final score of 79-63.
Belhaven will host Piedmont later this weekend. For updates on Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on social media and support through Team Green Giving.
