NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — J.J. Mann scored 15 points, including a key 3-pointer to break a tie at 53, as Belmont beat Fairfield 62-53 on Monday.
Mann’s game-changing basket started a 9-0 Belmont run to close out the game. Mann and Craig Bradshaw combined to make 4 of 4 free throws in the final minute.
Reece Chamberlain had 13 points and Bradshaw added 12 points for Belmont (14-7). The Bruins defense held Fairfield to 36 percent shooting and forced 17 turnovers.
Belmont led by as many as 13 points in the second half.
Fairfield (4-15) was paced by Marcus Gilbert with 16 points, with four 3-pointers, and K.J. Rose and Maurice Barrow added 10 apiece. Barrow made Fairfield’s only field goal in the final 5 minutes — a 3-pointer with 4:22 left.
Chamberlain and Mann made Belmont’s only three shots from beyond the arc in 16 attempts.
