Belmont was less than a minute away from making its first round of 16. But in Monday’s matchup between Tennessee, a No. 4 seed and one of college basketball’s most storied programs, and the upstart Bruins, the status quo prevailed — barely.
Tennessee eked out a 70-67 win over the 12th-seeded Bruins on its home court in Knoxville thanks to a timely 3-point basket by freshman Sara Puckett and two key missed free throws by Belmont.
Although Tennessee appeared to be solidly in control at halftime, Belmont pulled together a late offensive surge, forcing another dramatic finish after winning its first-round game against No.