Box Score CHARLESTON, Ill. - - Behind active team defense and unselfish offense, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Eastern Illinois, 80-49, Wednesday night.
The Bruins looked to continue its strong season in league play and away from home, while the host Panthers – winners of five of their last eight coming in – sought to build off of a home victory over Murray State Feb. 16.
A transition three-pointer from junior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.) off a timely feed from senior Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) pushed Belmont to an early 7-3 lead.
After an Alex Austin three-pointer got the Panthers within one, senior Brandon Baker (Milford, Ohio) capped Belmont's second 7-0 run in the opening eight minutes to increase the margin to 14-6.
Having to deal Eastern Illinois' methodical, five-out offense with Princeton principles, Belmont worked as a team; communicating and pressuring the basketball to make things difficult for the home team.
Sherman Blanford got the Panthers within 14-10 before the Bruins limited EIU to four points over the next nine minutes. Meanwhile, the Bruins used their defense to fuel high percentage shots.
Mann scored seven points during a 13-2 Bruin run that made the score 27-12 with 6:16 left in the half.
After a three-pointer from senior Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) and another Baker basket, senior Trevor Noack (Keller, Texas) scored three consecutive layins in a one minute span to give the Bruins a 38-16 lead.
Mann tipped home a baseline three-point miss from sophomore Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) as the first half horn sounded to give Belmont a 42-20 lead.
Belmont shot 60 percent (15-for-25) from the field in the first half – including 4-for-11 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced 11 EIU turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
Mann had 14 first half points.
Noack kept the momentum going, draining a straight-on three-pointer to open the second half scoring.
Two interior baskets from junior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) and a three-pointer from Chamberlain made the score 52-24 with 15:50 left.
Belmont continued the strong, unified defense in the second half, denying Panther driving lanes and backdoor opportunities.
Mann and Noack were the prime beneficiaries of outstanding Belmont ball movement, in transition and in the halfcourt.
Belmont led by as many as 37.
Sophomore Spencer Turner (Bloomington, Ind.) sank two three-pointers down the stretch.
All told, Belmont shot 53 percent (29-for-55) from the field – including 10-for-23 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced 19 turnovers and limited EIU to 32 percent shooting.
Belmont had 24 assists and 29 made field goals.
Mann and Noack led Belmont with 21 points each. Jenkins added 13 points and six rebounds. Johnson had eight assists and zero turnovers, while Chamberlain had six points and seven assists.
Blanford led Eastern Illinois (8-20, 5-10 OVC) with 14 points.
Belmont (21-6, 12-2 OVC) returns to action Saturday, Feb. 23 against Ohio in the Ramada Worldwide BracketBusters. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and the Watch ESPN app.
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. In-game updates will be provided via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTES: Belmont becomes the first program in the nation to win 12 or more conference games in 11 consecutive seasons (Kansas has the opportunity to equal that mark) … Belmont has won 11 games away from home this season to rank among the NCAA leaders … Johnson also had a 10 assist-zero turnover game at Tennessee Tech (1/5/13) … Belmont becomes the first team to score 80 points against Eastern Illinois this season, the Panthers had been surrendering 65.0 points per game … Belmont scored 32 points in the paint and had 23 points off turnovers.
