JACKSONVILLE – On a frigid and blustery day at the JSU Tennis Complex, the Jacksonville State men's tennis team dropped a 6-1 decision to future Ohio Valley Conference member Belmont on Saturday.

The loss drops Jax State to 2-3 on the season, while the Bruins notched their first win of the 2012 season.  BU will join the OVC for competition next season.

BU took the early lead in the match by claiming the doubles point.  The Bruins won at No. 1 and 2 doubles, while the Gamecock duo of Felipe Watanabe and Felipe Wenzel turned back BU's tandem of Henrique Norbiato and Bruno Silva, 8-2.

Silva rebounded in singles play at No. 6 as he clinched the match with a straight sets win over Wenzel, 6-3, 7-5.  Two of the six singles matches ended by retirement as JSU's lone point came at No. 4 when Felipe Diaz won after Fernando Mussolini retired after being down 2-0 in the first set.  After the match was decided, Jax State freshman Jordan Cowling gave way to BU's Nobiato in the third and final set.  Cowling won the first set 6-4, but fell 6-2 in the second set to force a third and deciding set.  Cowling retired during the final set.

Igor Santos was bumped up to the No. 1 spot and fell in a three-set marathon to BU's Renato Antun.  Antun posted a 7-5 win in the opening set before Santos rebounded in the second set, 6-2.  Antum topped Santos in the surper tie-breaker, 10-7.

JSU returns home on Wednesday, Feb. 15 as it plays host to in-state rival Samford.  Match time is set for 1:30 p.m.