Belmont Maintains Control of the Boulevard in Wednesday Night Thriller

Jailyn Banks drives to the basket, Greer Patten

In the 78th Battle of the Boulevard, Belmont women’s basketball came away with a 63-55 win against Lipscomb University. 

But that final score doesn’t tell the full story of this edition. 

Lipscomb struck first, getting the first possession and taking an early three-point lead with senior forward Bella Vinson hitting a three pointer. 

 But then graduate guard Kendall Holmes took over early hitting her first two 3-pointers on Belmont’s first possessions.  

Senior forward Carmyn Harrison followed up those deep-shots with some layups to keep pushing the pace early and give the Bruins a seven-point lead. 

The Bruins played good defense in the first half, pushing the Bisons deep into the shot clock to take tough shots and holding them to a 27% field goal percentage in the first quarter. 

The Bisons scored a few more buckets late in the quarter to bring them within a single score of the Bruins. 

But once again Holmes took over with two late buckets including the final shot of the quarter to give the Bruins a six-point cushion going into the second. 

Holmes finished the quarter with 10 of her team-leading 14 points on the night. 

The Bisons were unable to cut into the lead in the second quarter, finishing with an 11-point deficit going into half time. 

But then the stampede came in the third quarter. 

The Bisons looked like a new team coming into the third quarter, getting stops and transitioning into buckets on the other end. 

“Got a lot of getting better to do. I don't think any of us feel like we're there. We aren't connected offensively, for sure, and there's a lot to work on,” said head coach Bart Brooks. 

The Lipscomb crowd finally came to life and got to their feet after a largely disappointing first half.  

Lipscomb stormed back to within one, but Belmont dug in its claws and held on to the lead going into the fourth quarter. 

Lipscomb opened the fourth with four straight points to bring the game back within a single point early. 

But thanks to a crucial three from Kendal Cheesman, the Bruins secured a four-point lead, though not for long as Lipscomb’s junior guard Ainhoa Cea would answer with a layup of her own. 

But then Belmont rattled off three straight buckets. 

Junior guard Emily La Chapell hit a layup. 

Sophomore guard Jailyn Banks hit a smooth mid-range jumper. 

Cheesman hit another three-pointer to give the Bruins a nine-point lead, continuing to be the sparkplug for the Bruins off the bench finishing the night with 10 points and seven rebounds. 

“I know we all believe in Kendall. We know she's a great shooter, so anytime we can get her a touch, it's always going to be good for the Bruins,” said senior guard Tuti Jones. 

Lipscomb did not go away though, answering with two three pointers of its own from graduate guard Jalyn Holcomb and a layup from senior guard Claira McGowan. 

This game seemed like it would come down to who had the final possession. 

With around four minutes left, the Bruins had possession but were unable to convert and Lipscomb had a chance to take the lead for the first time since its opening three pointer. 

But after a wild defensive possession, the Bruins got possession again and Banks got a wide-open layup to give the Bruins a three-point lead. 

La Chapell got another steal and a layup to give the Bruins a five-point lead with two and a half minutes left. 

And that was largely the game as the Bisons turned it over and the Bruins would shot free throws to close out the game off a couple of fouls by Lipscomb. 

The Bruins breaking down their huddle at the end of the game, Greer Patten

“I think that was a great team win. We all came together and did what we needed to do,” said Jones. 

The Bruins won the Battle of the Boulevard for the 15th time in a row. 

They return to the Curb Event Center on Saturday against Middle Tennessee State University. 

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This article was written by Braden Simmons