NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind five double figure scorers, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Austin Peay, 93-68, Saturday afternoon.
In front of a boisterous Homecoming crowd, Belmont built off momentum gained from Thursday night's emotional victory over Murray State.
Behind 10 early points from senior J.J. Mann (Smyrna, Ga.), the Bruins raced out to a 20-8 lead eight minutes in.
But sophomore Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) picked up his second personal foul at the 13:37 mark, and was forced to sit the remainder of the first half.
Austin Peay got strong play from Chris Horton, who showcased his perimeter game in closing the Governors within 31-29 with 6:44 left in the half.
Belmont continued to execute offensively, as some of the best passing of the season led to high percentage shots. A Mann steal and layin capped a 22-7 run and gave the hosts a 53-36 advantage with 2:02 left in the half.
Austin Peay scored the final eight points of the half to make the score 53-44 at halftime.
Belmont shot 57 percent (20-for-37) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 7-for-17 from three-point distance. The Bruins handed out 12 assists and forced 10 Governor turnovers in the first half.
Mann had 22 first half points.
The second half began unkindly for the Bruins, and Bradshaw's third foul coupled with baskets from Travis Betran and Ed Dyson narrowed the margin to 53-48 with 18:28 left.
But following a Rick Byrd timeout, Belmont responded. Three-pointers from freshman Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.), senior Drew Windler (South Milwaukee, Wisc.), and a Bradshaw layin extended the Belmont lead back to 61-49 with 15:21 remaining.
From there, junior Reece Chamberlain (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) and freshman Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) spearheaded another Bruin scoring run that stretched the margin to 76-53 with 10:40 remaining.
Belmont solidified its defensive rotations in the second half, limiting Austin Peay to 30 percent shooting after the break.
All told, Belmont shot 53 percent (35-for-66) from the field - including 13-for-30 from three-point distance. The Bruins handed out 22 assists, while forcing 15 turnovers.
Belmont also outrebounded Austin Peay, 36-35.
Mann led the way with 28 points. Chamberlain added 13 points, a career-high seven rebounds, and a career-high 10 assists, while Bradds scored 12 points and five rebounds.
Senior Blake Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) had 11 points, and Bradshaw 10.
Chris Horton led Austin Peay (10-14, 4-6 OVC) with 18 points.
Belmont (19-8, 10-2 OVC) returns to game action Thursday, Feb. 13 versus Tennessee State. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU and the WatchESPN 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 available on Twitter @BelmontMBB.
