HUNTINGTON, Ind. -- The #14 Bellevue University men's basketball team clamped down defensively in the second half allowing just 29 points after the intermission as they defeated the University of Northwestern Ohio 81-66 on Friday evening at Platt Arena in the Ness Bros. Hall of Fame Tournament, hosted by Huntington University.
Records:
#14 Bellevue: 3-3
Northwestern Ohio: 1-3
Recap: #14 Bellevue 81, Northwestern Ohio 66
After allowing the first four points Bellevue looked to be the better team early on, building to a seven-point lead on a basket from Justin Bessard with 12:46 to go in the first half.
The Bruins stayed at least two possessions ahead, building their lead to as many as 12 on a three from Brian Stokes at the 6:56 mark.
Trailing by 10 points, 34-24 with 4:16 to play, Justin Koepp scored a put-back to key a 13-5 Racer run to close the half. UNOH had a chance to take the lead at the buzzer but Keopp's three-pointer was no good and the Bruins clung to a 39-37 lead at the break.
Bellevue used a 17-5 run early in the second half to turn a tie game into a 56-44 BU advantage with in a 6:09 span. Sequan Walker began the run with a trey at the 18:57 mark and capped the spurt with a basket at the 12:48 mark.
UNOH got as close as five on a bucket from Zach Montes with 5:50 remaining but could trim the Bruin lead no further. Bellevue scored 15 of the final 20 points to secure the victory.
Bessard dropped in a season-high 20 points off the bench to lead four Bruins in double figures. Walker (16) along with Josh Lindsey-Hunter (10) and Stephen Matthews (10) each joined him in scoring 10 or more.
Montes led three Racers in double figures with a team-best 13 points. Nathan Lessing and Ladji Samoura chipped in 12 and 11, respectively, and Koepp tossed in eight points and pulled down a team-leading seven rebounds.
Bellevue edged UNOH the glass, holding a 41-40 rebounding advantage. They were led by Meier's 10 boards, the fourth time this season he's hit double digits. Bessard added nine and Richard Reed contributed six.
Up Next:
Bellevue's game time and opponent will be determined following the conclusion of the second game of the Ness Bros. Hall of Fame Tournament between Huntington and East-West.
