Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball defeated Southeast Missouri, 107-72, in its Ohio Valley Conference home opener.
Playing at the Curb Event Center for the first time since a convincing victory over defending Summit League champion, South Dakota State, the Bruins again showcased purposeful, unified basketball against a Redhawk team that led Missouri into the second half.
Senior Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) erupted for 12 points in the first 4:46 of the game to push Belmont to a 15-7 lead.
Following consecutive layins from senior Brandon Baker (Milford, Ohio) off feeds from senior Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) and freshman Craig Bradshaw (Franklin, Tenn.), respectively, Belmont drew a charge on talented Southeast Missouri forward Nino Johnson. The call would be Johnson's second personal foul, impacting the Redhawks' rotation.
From there, the Bruins established senior Trevor Noack (Keller, Texas), who poured in 15 points in the final 10:54 of the half.
After Tyler Stone got Southeast Missouri within 29-16, consecutive three-point field goals from junior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) pushed the margin to 19 with 7:20 left in the half.
Belmont defense remained sound, creating turnovers and contesting shots.
Following six Bruin free throws, Belmont got a deep three-pointer from Noack to make the score 44-21 with 3:22 left in the half.
Marland Smith tipped home a missed shot to get Southeast Missouri within 17, before Mann scored inside off a feed from junior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) to give Belmont a 48-29 lead at halftime.
Belmont shot 55 percent (17-for-31) from the field in the opening 20 minutes – including 5-for-14 from three-point distance. The Bruins drew four charges and forced 16 Southeast Missouri turnovers in the first half.
Noack had 17 points and Clark 13 at halftime.
Two driving layins from Johnson kept the positive Bruin momentum going, before Mann, Clark and Noack strung together three-pointers in an 88 second span to increase the lead to 63-36 with 15:32 left.
A left-handed drive from Bradshaw highlighted the 14-2 Belmont run.
Noack and Clark continued their fine offensive showings, both exiting to rousing ovations from the Bruin crowd and bench in the final moments.
Senior Adam Barnes (Clarksville, Tenn.) provided three strong drives to lift Belmont over the century mark.
All told, Belmont shot 62 percent (40-for-65) from the field – including 11-for-23 from three-point distance. The Bruins scored 46 points in the paint and 25 points off turnovers.
11 Bruins scored in the game.
Noack and Clark led four Bruins in double figures, each scoring 30 points. The duo combined on 22-for-30 shooting. Aside from a new career-high in points, Noack added seven rebounds.
Johnson had 13 points and Mann added 11.
Tyler Stone led Southeast Missouri (10-8, 2-2 OVC) with 18 points.
Belmont (12-4, 3-0 OVC) returns to action Saturday, Jan. 12 against UT Martin. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center.
The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network and 104.5 The Zone. Live video streaming will be available via the OVC Digital Network. In-game updates will be provided via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTES: Belmont established a Curb Event Center record with 107 points ... The 107 points were the most since the Bruins scored 117 in an overtime victory against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Jan. 20, 2001 ... With Clark and Noack each scoring 30 points, it is believed to be the first time that has happened in the Bruins' NCAA era (1996-present) ... 40 made field goals is two shy of the Curb Event Center record ... Barnes scored a season-high six points.
