TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Indiana State gave league-leading Belmont all it could handle Thursday night inside Hulman Center, but the Bruins ultimately prevailed in an 85-77 offensive battle.
 
Tierney Kelsey led the Sycamores with 18 points, all of which came in the second half. Kayla Smith added 14, her most in an MVC game this season, while Amerie Flowers finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 12 points and nine boards. Kennedy Claybrooks and Clemisha Prackett also finished in double-figures with 11 and 10, respectively, with the latter also securing a game-high 13 rebounds for a double-double. Kelsey and Samiyah Briggs each dished out three assists
 
The Sycamores controlled the opening period, ending the quarter with a 27-23 advantage thanks to 18 early points between Smith and Claybrooks. Indiana State maintained its lead early, but Belmont worked its way back to tie the game at 40-40 at the half. The Bruins took control midway through the third quarter and carried a 61-52 lead into the final period. Belmont built its lead to as many as 17 in the fourth, but the Sycamores rallied to cut the deficit to five thanks to 13 points in the final frame from Kelsey. Despite the late push, Indiana State's effort ultimately fell short.
 
First Half 
An and-one layup from Flowers got things started, with Smith tacking on a pair of treys as Indiana State built an early 15-9 lead. Baskets from Claybrooks and Smith kept the advantage at five, with Prackett adding a layup to make it 21-14 with three minutes remaining in the frame. A late 6-0 run for the visitors briefly tied the score, but late buckets from Prackett and Smith gave Indiana State a 27-23 lead after the opening quarter.
 
Jayci Allen knocked down an early second quarter three-ball to keep the lead at four for the Trees, but the offensive pace slowed down for both teams for most of the period. Indiana State went more than six minutes without a basket until Briggs hit a three to make it 35-31 Trees, with Camariyana Tavares adding a jumper with just over 90 seconds remaining. Claybrooks hit a late three for the Blue and White, but Belmont rallied to pull even at 40-all at the intermission.
 
Second Half 
Early baskets from Da'Naria Washington and Flowers had Indiana State back in front less than two minutes into the third quarter, but a 6-0 Belmont run put the visitors ahead with a lead they never relinquished. Kelsey scored her first points midway through the third and added another basket with just under four minutes to go in the frame to pull within 53-51. The Trees went cold from there, though, as Belmont closed with a 9-1 run to lead 61-52 with 10 minutes remaining.
 
Belmont's run extended into the fourth, pushing its lead to 73-57 midway through the frame. Indiana State battled back with a 15-4 run, all of which came from Prackett and Kelsey, to pull within two possessions with two minutes remaining. The Sycamores were unable to generate the combination of late stops on defense and points on offense needed to fully overcome their double-digit deficit. Smith added a late three-ball, but a valiant Sycamore effort fell short in an 85-77 setback to the conference leaders.
 
News and Notes

• The Sycamores had a night full of team highs, with Indiana State's 50 rebounds, 14 second chance points and 47.1 percent mark from 3-point range (8-for-17) all being season-best performances.
• Indiana State held Belmont to a 37.3 percent clip from the field, marking the first time since November that the Trees held an opponent below 40 percent from the field.
• Indiana State had five players in double-figures for the second straight home game (Jan. 1 vs. Valpo) and fourth time this season.
• Indiana State's 25-point first quarter was its highest-scoring quarter since New Year's Day against Valparaiso (32 in the third quarter).
• Every player that saw action scored and had a rebound for the second straight game.
• Clemisha Prackett recorded her team-leading sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Prackett's 13 rebounds were tied for her most in a conference game this season (Jan. 4 at UIC).
• Amerie Flowers recorded MVC highs of 12 points and nine rebounds, recording her second double-figure scoring game against an MVC foe this season. Flowers' six offensive rebounds tied a season high which was set in the opener at IU Indy.
• Kayla Smith recorded MVC higs of 14 points and five rebounds while becoming the first Sycamore to play all 40 minutes in a game this season. Smith was 3-for-4 from 3-point range, with the three treys tying a season high.
• Tierney Kelsey tied her MVC high of 18 points, with all of her scoring coming in the second half. Kelsey's six free throws were her most against a conference foe.
• Kennedy Claybrooks tied her season high in field goals made with five.

 
Next Up: 
Indiana State remains at Hulman Center for a Hoosier State showdown with Evansville Sunday at 2 p.m.
 

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