Box Score MARTIN, Tenn. - - Behind a career-high 20 points from sophomore Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.), Belmont University men's basketball defeated UT Martin, 82-72, Thursday night.
The game featured two of the OVC's top offenses, known for spacing the floor and unselfish play.
Egekeze buried two three-pointers in the opening 2:20, portending great things for the Bruins.
A teardrop from senior Craig Bradshaw (Ridgetop, Tenn.) and a three-pointer from sophomore Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) gave Belmont a 15-10 lead at the 11:51 mark.
Five more points from Egekeze pushed the margin to 25-16 wth 7:18 left in the half.
But after Egekeze's fourth three-pointer of the first half, UT Martin gained momentum.
Consecutive three-pointers from Alex Anderson and Jacolby Mobley closed the margin to three, 30-27.
An offensive rebound basket from freshman Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) halted the UT Martin run, but two Mobley free throws gave the Skyhawks a 33-32 lead at halftime.
Belmont shot 35 percent (12-for-34) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 6-for-23 from three-point distance. The Bruins were plus-four rebounding and held the Skyhawks to 36 percent shooting.
Egekeze led Belmont with 14 first half points.
But just 13 seconds into the second half, Egekeze picked up his third personal foul, forcing him to the Belmont bench.
Nevertheless, the Bruins showcased purpose and resolve.
Two Bradshaw three-pointers and a layin from freshman Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.) enabled the Bruins to reclaim a 44-40 advantage.
As Belmont held UT Martin without a field goal for a six minute stretch, consecutive three-pointers from Bradshaw and Windler capped an 18-2 run to make the score 54-41 with 13:25 left.
Two more Egekeze three-pointers in a 28 second span pushed the margin to 65-47 with 9:03 to go.
Despite strong play from Myles Taylor late, the Bruins maintained a double figure lead to the finish.
All told, Belmont shot 42 percent (28-for-67) from the field - including 14-for-45 from three-point distance. Belmont handed out 19 assists on only eight turnovers.
Bradshaw and Bradds combined on 29 second half points.
The Bruins held UT Martin to 36 percent shooting.
Aside from Egekeze's 20, Bradshaw added 19 and Bradds had 18.
Windler added a career-high 14 rebounds.
Taylor led UT Martin (10-10, 2-3 OVC) with 18 points.
Belmont (14-6, 6-0 OVC) returns to game action Saturday, Jan. 23 versus Tennessee State. Tip-off is set for 5 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 and 104.5 The Zone.
NOTES: Belmont outscored UT Martin, 18-13, in bench points ... Nine Bruins scored ... Belmont grabbed 16 offensive rebounds ... Bradshaw is averaging 20.7 points per game in his last three meetings with UT Martin ... Bradds is averaging 19.3 points per game in three career meetings with UT Martin ... Egekeze added two blocked shots ... Windler has 43 rebounds over his last six games.
