Belmont hangs on against Middle Tennessee, 63-59

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Evan Bradds scored 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, added a team high six rebounds, and Belmont held off Middle Tennessee 63-59 on Tuesday night.

Nick Smith also finished with 15 points for the Bruins (7-1), including a spotless 3-of-3 from 3-point range, and Craig Bradshaw finished with 14 points for Belmont. Offensively Belmont shot just 38 percent from the field, but hit 45 percent of its threes and go to the free throw line 24 times, nine more than Middle Tennessee.

Middle Tennessee was led by Marcus Tarrance's 14 point, four assists effort. Jaqawn Raymond added 12 points for the Blue Raiders (3-4).

Belmont built a 10 point halftime lead, pushing it as high as 16 midway through the second half. The Blue Raiders used a 15-3 run to cut the lead to one late, but a Bradds layup with a minute left put the game away.