Nov. 17, 2008

Box Score Postgame Quotes Photo Gallery

NASHVILLE, TENN. - - A foul call with 0.2 seconds remaining in regulation provided the final margin as Belmont men's basketball dropped a heartbreaking 86-84 decision to Austin Peay Monday night.

In last year's meeting in Nashville, the Governors torched the Curb Event Center nets at an arena record 60 point clip in the opening 20 minutes. And the visitors from Clarksville opened in similar fashion this go round.

A Wes Channels floater followed by a Kyle Duncan three-pointer gave Austin Peay a quick 7-2 lead and gave Bruin fans a brief case of de ja vu - a feeling that would later return.

But Belmont's defense intensified, and consecutive steals converted into scores - first senior Andy Wicke (Hendersonville, Tenn.) to senior Alex Renfroe (Hermitage, Tenn.) for a crowd-pleasing slam and moments later Renfroe to backcourt mate senior Henry Harris (Nashville, Tenn.) - gave BU its first lead at 13-11 nearly six minutes in.

The seesaw first half continued at a riveting, racehorse pace, with each team finding the range from inside and outside. Sophomore Jon House (Guelph, Ont., Canada) - making just his fourth career start - sparked a Bruin charge.

Following a Wicke three-pointer in transition, House scored five straight points then fed junior Mike Dejworek (Ulm, Germany) for an easy slam to cap a 12-2 Belmont run and stretch the Bruin advantage to 10, 39-29, with 4:36 in the half.

After a Channels triple, Wicke replied in kind from long range before sophomore Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.) went coast to coast on a steal and layin to bump Belmont's lead to 44-32.

Campbell added two free throws to send the Bruins to the locker room up 12, 49-37.

Belmont shot 52 percent from the floor in the opening stanza (17-for-33) - including 7-for 16 from three-point range. House paced Belmont with 11 points in the first half.

House opened the second half with a layin to increase Belmont's lead to 14, 51-37, with 19:51 to go.

But the Govs slowly worked themselves back into the game. A determined Drake Reed putback capped an 11-2 Austin Peay run to trim the Belmont lead to 53-48 with 16:51 left.

But following two Renfroe free throws, Reed continue to punish the Bruins inside, as six straight points cut the lead to one, 58-57, with 12:50 to go.

Following a jump hook from freshman Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) extended the Belmont edge to three, Channels buried a deep three and Tyrone Caldwell completed a conventional three-point play to give invigorated Austin Peay a 65-60 lead with 10:40 left.

Belmont responded with a quick 7-0 run to reclaim the lead, as Wicke ripped a triple and House scored four tough points inside.

But with Austin Peay showing increased life and drive to loose balls, the Govs retook a 71-67 lead on a Caleb Brown driving basket.

Then after a layin from Dejworwek got Belmont within three points, Channels stroked back-to-back deep three-pointers to put the Bruins in a 79-70 hole with 4:53 left.

Senior Matthew Dotson (Centerville, Tenn.) hit a baseline three-pointer and Wicke followed with a tough left-handed layin to make the score 79-75 with 3:38 to go.

But once again, Austin Peay turned to Channels, who sank his fifth three-pointer of the night against the shot clock.

Nevertheless, Belmont hung tough. A conventional three-point play from junior Keaton Belcher (Butler, Ky.) and a second-effort tip-in from Renfroe got the Bruins within 82-80 with 1:26 remaining.

But following a rare Channels miss, Duran Roberson corralled a key offensive rebound for Austin Peay, returning the ball to Channels, who was later fouled attacking the rim. His two free throws stretched the lead back to four.

After a Renfroe turnover, Jordan Campbell stole the ball for Belmont in press defense and was fouled on the offensive glass. He made one of two free throws to get the Bruins within three points.

Channels was fouled following Campbell's miss of the back end of free throws, but with 25 seconds left, he missed the front end of an Austin Peay one-and-one.

Renfroe proceeded to speed down the court and nearly score while being fouled, but his layin spun out with 18 seconds to go. But the senior then missed both free throws. Yet, Austin Peay lost control of the rebound to give the Bruins new life.

A potential game-tying three-pointer from Belcher missed everything, but Renfroe skied for an offensive rebound putback and scored while being fouled by Channels with 10 seconds left. The point guard completed the three-point play and crazy comeback effort, tying the score at 84.

Following a timeout, Austin Peay raced the ball upcourt with Channels missing a contested pullup jumpshot with three seconds left. As both teams fought over the high bouncing, loose ball rebound, Harris was whistled for fouling Reed with 0.2 seconds remaining.

Officials also awarded Reed two free throws, claiming he was in the act of shooting the basketball in the mass battle for the rebound.

Reed sank both free throws, despite trying to intentionally miss the back end.

Belmont's desperation tip attempt in the final 0.2 seconds was denied.

For the game, Belmont shot 49 percent from the floor (30-for-61) - including 10-for-26 from three-point range. But 13 second half turnovers plagued the cause.

House scored a career-high 18 points on 8-for-10 shooting to lead Belmont. He added five assists and two blocked shots. Renfroe also scored a career-high 18 points with six assists and five rebounds.

Wicke added 13 points and four steals.

Channels paced Austin Peay (1-1) with 25 points.

Belmont (1-1) returns to action Tuesday, Nov. 25 at fifth-ranked Pittsburgh. The action can be heard live on the Bruin Sports Network.