Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind 23 points and 10 rebounds from junior Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio), Belmont University men's basketball defeated Murray State, 81-73, Thursday night.
The latest edition of one of college basketball's budding rivalries did not disappoint, as epic momentum shifts and electrifying highlights characterized play.
Belmont had won three of the previous five meetings entering the game, including the 2013 and 2015 OVC Championship games on game-winning shots from Kerron Johnson and junior Taylor Barnette (Lexington, Ky.), respectively.
With a boisterous student section cheering them on, Belmont built an early 10-6 lead on driving layins from sophomore Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas), Barnette, and a three-pointer from senior Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.).
But strong individual efforts from Damarcus Croaker and Gee McGhee late in the shot clock thwarted otherwise solid Belmont defense.
A three-pointer from Luke and a basket from Bradds increased the lead to 21-15 midway through the first half.
After Bryce Jones got the Racers within one, freshman Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.) buried consecutive three-pointers to push the Belmont lead back to seven, 31-24, with 5:34 left in the half.
Barnette tacked on a three-pointer to give the Bruins a 34-24 lead at the 4:42 mark.
But just as Belmont appeared poised to seize control, Murray State closed the half on a 14-5 run.
A driving Jones layin cut the margin to one, 39-38, at halftime.
Belmont shot 58 percent (14-for-24) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 5-for-11 from three-point distance. But Murray State was equally up to the task, shooting 62 percent in its own right.
Bradds led Belmont with 10 first half points.
Despite five points from Bradds to start the second half, Murray State continued its torrid pace.
The Racers made five of their first seven shots out of the locker room, taking a 53-45 lead with 15:50 left on a Brion Sanchious tip-in basket.
Sophomore Mack Mercer (Plymouth, Ind.) responded with a timely baseline three-pointer, and from there, Belmont put together some of its most complete play of the season.
As Bradds worked the Racer frontline into foul trouble, Belmont held Murray State scoreless for a seven-plus minute stretch to reclaim the lead.
A wing three-pointer and a thunderous, driving slam from freshman Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) put Belmont ahead, 55-53, with 11:29 remaining.
Racer forward Wayne Langston would then pick up his fourth personal foul. One minute later, after McClain stretched the lead to four, Langston would be whistled for his fifth personal foul battling for a rebound.
Langston received a technical foul as he headed to the Murray State bench area.
Free throws from Barnette and Mercer punctuated the 16-0 Belmont run to make the score 61-53 with 8:43 left.
McGhee ended the Murray State drought with a layin at the 8:24 mark.
From there, seven eye-popping points from Bradshaw - which included a step-back, called bank three-pointer and a fast break slam - increased the margin to 13, 70-57, with 5:53 remaining.
All told, Belmont went on a 25-4 run over a 10 minute stretch.
A Jones three-pointer got Murray State within 72-65 with 2:09 to go, but two straight baskets from Bradds all but secured the outcome.
All told, Belmont shot 55 percent (27-for-49) from the field - including 8-for-19 from three-point distance. The Bruins forced 16 Racer turnovers.
Bradds led five Bruins in double figures with 23 points. He added 10 rebounds for his eighth double-double in his last 11 games.
Mercer scored 13, while Barnette added 12. Bradshaw had eight of his 11 in the second half, while McClain had 10.
Jones led Murray State (8-9, 2-2 OVC) with 20 points.
Belmont (12-6, 4-0 OVC) returns to game action Saturday, Jan. 16 versus Austin Peay. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center.
The game will be broadcast on OVC Digital Network. The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network.
NOTES: Belmont has won an NCAA-best 32 consecutive conference home games and 73 of its last 77 at home overall ... Belmont has won four of the last five meetings with Murray State ... Mercer had one of his best games in a Bruin uniform, going 3-for-3 from the field, 6-for-6 from the free throw line, and adding two blocked shots ... Belmont outscored Murray State, 36-28, in the paint, and 30-18 off the bench ... All six Belmont-Murray State games have aired on the ESPN family of networks.
