Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Energized by a boisterous student section on 'First on the Floor' night, Belmont University men's basketball outlasted Western Kentucky, 90-85, Wednesday night.
The Bruins, facing a quick turnaround following Monday's night narrow loss at Arizona State and a long travel day Tuesday, welcomed a talented and formidable Hilltopper team to the Curb Event Center for the home opener.
A perennial 20-win and postseason team, Western Kentucky returned much of its nucleus from a squad seeking revenge for Belmont's one-point win in Bowling Green last November.
After junior Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) gave Belmont an early 8-6 advantage, a basket from Frederick Edmond and a deep three-pointer from Chris Harrison-Docks gave the visitors a four point lead.
Belmont head coach Rick Byrd expertly used the Bruin bench throughout the first half, managing minutes of his starters still recovering from the Marquette-Arizona State trip.
Three-pointers from senior Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) and sophomore Burton Sampson (Knoxville, Tenn.) gave Belmont a 19-17 lead midway through the first half.
Following a somewhat ragged start, both teams unleashed riveting, free-flowing basketball.
Another Harrison-Docks three-pointer and a Chris McNeal basket pushed Western Kentucky to a 31-23 lead at the 7:09 mark.
In need of a spark, the Belmont bench delivered. Following a three-pointer from junior Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.), sophomore Josh Lester (Antioch, Tenn.) ignited a titanic momentum shift late in the half.
Following two free throws, Lester buried a baseline three-pointer to get the Bruins within one, 38-37.
Feeding off the positive energy from Lester and the crowd, Belmont would bury five consecutive three-pointers in the final 4:15 of the half. Freshman Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.), Bradds, and sophomore Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) would each connect during the electrifying run, with Luke's triple right before the horn sending the Bruins to the locker room with a 52-43 lead.
When the dust settled, Belmont went on a 22-6 run over the final 5:14 of the first half.
Belmont shot 66 percent (19-for-29) from the field in the opening 20 minutes – including 9-for-17 from three-point distance. Nine different Bruins scored in the first half, led by Bradds with 14.
The second half began inauspiciously for Belmont, as Western Kentucky produced a five-point play on its opening possession after the break – Justin Johnson scored, failed to complete a conventional three-point play, but McNeal buried a wing three-pointer on the tipped-out rebound to quickly get the Hilltoppers with 52-48 with 19:35 remaining.
But eight determined points from sophomore Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) pushed the Bruin lead back to 13, 63-50, with 16:41 to go.
Despite clicking on all cylinders offensively, and seemingly on the verge of breaking the game open, from there, Belmont endured a head-scratching nine-minute field goal drought.
During the inexplicable stretch of 13 consecutive missed field goals, the Bruins got their typical high-percentage shots from three-point distance and at the rim. Given the quality of shots – and quality of the Bruin offense – it was hard to explain the well going dry in such a fashion.
Meanwhile, Western Kentucky methodically worked back into the game, getting within 72-65 at the 8:28 mark on three Harrison-Docks free throws.
But moments later, following a Sampson steal, Justin Johnson would commit his fifth personal foul, and foul out with 7:48 remaining.
The Hilltoppers fought onward and closed within five, before Egekeze ended the Bruin field goal spell.
Edmond got Western Kentucky within one, 74-73, with 4:57 remaining, and after a Bradshaw three-pointer rimmed out, Ben Lawson was fouled on a putback attempt.
He would make one free throw to tie the score with 4:26 left.
From there, Belmont sharpened its execution and played well down the stretch.
The Bruins broke Hilltopper pressure defense and got a timely basket from freshman Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) to go back on top.
A baseline reverse layin from Bradshaw and another clutch conventional three-point play from Egekeze increased the margin to five, 81-76, with 3:05 remaining.
Bradshaw added two free throws before Harrison-Docks replied with a floater with 1:50 left.
On the next sequence, Bradshaw missed a wing-pointer, but Bradds kept the play alive to ensure Belmont possession and a new shot clock.
Moments later, McClain would be fouled and confidently sink two free throws to extend the lead back to seven.
Western Kentucky got no closer than four the rest of the way.
All told, the Bruins shot 48 percent (29-for-61) from the field – including 11-for-29 from three-point distance. Belmont forced 15 turnovers and scored 29 points off the bench.
Bradds led three Bruins in double figures with 16 points and nine rebounds. Egekeze added 15 points in arguably his finest game in a Belmont uniform. Bradshaw had 13 points, while Luke added nine points and a career-high 11 assists.
Harrison-Docks led Western Kentucky (1-1) with 19 points.
Belmont (2-1) returns to game action Saturday, Nov. 21 at Evansville. Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m. CT.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and WatchESPN. The live play-by-play will be on the Bruin Sports Network.
NOTES: Belmont improves to 68-4 at the Curb Event Center since Feb. 5, 2010 … Luke threatened the Curb Event Center single-game record for assists (12) before settling for 11 … Egekeze's career-high is 16 points vs. Jacksonville State (1/29/15) … Josh Lester scored a career-high five points; entering the game he had eight career points in 16 game appearances … Coach Byrd praised Lester during the postgame press conference for his readiness and ability to positively impact the game … 10 Bruins scored in the game … McClain and Windler went a combined 5-for-5 from the free throw line in the final 1:21 … Burton Sampson played a career-high 17 minutes … Belmont coaches and players commended the Belmont student section following the game.
