Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind 10 first half three-point field goals, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Austin Peay, 76-58, Saturday night.
Four quick points from sophomore Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) and a layin from junior Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio) sparked the Bruins to an early 6-0 lead 2:31 into the game.
With the visiting Governors throwing two or three defenders at Bradds - who entered the evening with double-doubles in eight of his previous 11 games - Belmont showcased its outside game.
Three-pointers from Egekeze, junior Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.) and senior Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) wrapped around a steal and slam from freshman Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) pushed the lead to 17-5 six minutes in.
With Belmont limiting Austin Peay to three field goals in the first nine minutes, Windler stretched the advantage to 24-8 on a baseline three-pointer.
Two straight three-pointers from junior Taylor Barnette (Lexington, Ky.) made the score 32-15 at the 7:52 mark.
Smith would then bury three treys in a 1:40 span to give the Bruins a 41-20 lead with 3:54 left in the half.
Belmont led 46-23 at halftime.
Belmont shot 63 percent (17-for-27) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 10-for-17 from three-point distance. Meanwhile, the Bruins limited Austin Peay to 29 percent shooting.
Smith paced Belmont with 12 first half points.
Six quick points from Egekeze made the score 54-27 with 16:03 left.
The Bruins led by as many as 29, with Windler's extra effort on both ends of the floor stealing the show.
Sophomore Josh Lester (Antioch, Tenn.) also provided five points down the stretch.
All told, Belmont shot 48 percent (27-for-56) from the field, while holding the Govs to 34 percent shooting.
Belmont outrebounded Austin Peay by eight, 42-34, and forced 20 Governor turnovers.
Smith led balanced scoring with 14. Egekeze had 13, while Windler had his first career double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Chris Horton led Austin Peay (8-12, 1-4 OVC) with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
Belmont (13-6, 5-0 OVC) returns to game action Thursday, Jan. 21 at UT Martin. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast 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.
NOTES: Belmont has won an NCAA-best 33 consecutive conference home games and 74 of its last 78 at home ... The Bruins have won seven consecutive meetings with Austin Peay ... Bradds had his 18th career double figure rebound game with 12 rebounds ... Mack Mercer continued his efficient play with nine points in 13 minutes ... 11 different Bruins scored ... Belmont outscored Austin Peay, 45-29, off the bench ... Belmont was +11 in points off turnovers.
