The Cherokee Indians pushed their score all the way to 55 on Saturday, but even that wasn't enough to win. They were just a bucket shy of victory and fell 56-55 to Belmont. While losing is never fun, Cherokee can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps's basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 344th in Alabama, while Belmont is ranked 158th in Mississippi).
Belmont found their leader in underclassman Khalil Luster, who dropped a double-double on ten points and 13 rebounds. The game was Luster's 11th in a row with at least ten points.
Cherokee's loss dropped their record down to 6-4. As for Belmont, the win makes it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 8-4.
Cherokee will take on Wilson in a holiday battle at 4:15 p.m. on Monday at. Wilson is hoping to put an end to a three-game streak of away losses. As for Belmont, they will head out on the road to face off against Phil Campbell at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
