NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Mick Hedgepeth scored 19 points and Belmont opened Atlantic Sun Conference play with an 89-67 victory over Mercer on Thursday night.
Hedgepeth was 8 for 12 from the field and Ian Clark added 16 points in the home opener for the Bruins (5-1), who have won five consecutive games.
Belmont, which scored 29 points off Mercer’s 21 turnovers, held a 44-30 halftime lead, the fifth straight game the Bruins have led by at least 14 points at the break.
The Bruins took control in the final 2 minutes of the first half and the first 2 minutes of the second half, extending a 37-30 lead to 49-32 with 18:42 to play.
Kerron Johnson added 10 points for the Bruins and Drew Hanlen had eight assists, his third game with at least eight this season.
Brandon Moore led Mercer (2-6) with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Brian Mills added 14 points and Jeff Smith had 11 for the Bears.
