Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind 26 points and 14 rebounds from senior All-America candidate Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio), Belmont University men's basketball defeated Western Kentucky, 90-69, Saturday night.
The Bruins, coming off an uncharacteristic 9-for-41 3-point shooting performance Tuesday night at Vanderbilt, went a more customary 16-for-34 from long distance on the evening.
And the traditional spirited student section - on hand for First on the Floor and CODE BLUE - made its presence felt from the opening tip.
Early on, the visiting Hilltoppers showcased their talent and versatility under first year head coach Rick Stansbury.
After a 3-pointer from junior Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) gave the Bruins a 10-9 lead, Western Kentucky scored 12 straight points over a four-minute span, taking a 21-10 advantage on a basket from Damari Parris.
But the Bruins quickly stabilized, as a 3-pointer from sophomore Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.) and five more points from Luke closed the margin to 23-18.
Baskets from Bradds and junior Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) sandwiched around a 3-pointer from senior Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.) tied the score at 30 with 6:51 left in the half.
Western Kentucky answered with baskets from Que Johnson and Junior Lomomba before Belmont closed on a 12-5 run.
An electifying baseline slam from sophomore Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) and a driving basket from Bradds sent Belmont to the locker room up three, 42-39.
Belmont shot 52 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 8-for-19 from 3-point distance. The Bruins also forced nine Hilltopper turnovers.
Early second half 3-pointers from Luke and Bradds helped the Bruins maintain a 50-46 lead with 16:48 remaining.
Triples from McClain and Smith, followed by another trademark post move from Bradds, increased the lead to 10, 58-48, with 14:50 to go, and prompted a Western Kentucky timeout.
And though the Hilltoppers closed to 59-52 on a Junior Lomomba basket, from there, Smith caught fire. Three consecutive triples in a two-minute span pushed the Bruin lead to 75-60 with 7:30 left.
More active Belmont defense sparked transition scoring opportunities, including a teardrop banker from senior Taylor Barnette (Lexington, Ky.).
A Bradds layin made the score 83-63 with 4:19 to go.
All told, Belmont shot 58 percent (36-for-62) from the field - including 19-for-29 in the second half. The Bruins handed out 24 assists on 36 made field goals, and outrebounded the Hilltoppers by nine after intermission.
Bradds led three Bruins in double figures with 26 points. Smith added a career-high 18, while Luke chipped in 16 points and nine assists.
Justin Johnson led Western Kentucky (2-1) with 17 points.
Belmont (1-1) returns to action Monday, Nov. 21 vs. Florida in Tampa. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT from Amalie Arena.
The game will be broadcast on SEC Network and WatchESPN. The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network.
NOTES: Belmont has won 13 consecutive home openers ... Belmont is 79-5 in its last 84 games at the Curb Event Center ... Bradds, who provided 16 points and 10 rebounds in the second half, has 22 career double doubles ... With 26 points, Bradds moves within three points of Kerron Johnson ('13) for seventh on the Bruins' NCAA Division I era career scoring list ... Belmont outscored Western Kentucky, 31-15, off the bench ... Belmont outscored Western Kentucky, 17-8, in points off turnovers ... Luke came within one assist of his second career double double ... Talented Western Kentucky power forward Justin Johnson is clearly expanding his game; he entered the game with three career 3-pointers and went 3-for-4 from behind the arc ... Belmont has won four consecutive games in the series ... The Bruins and Hilltoppers will play next season in Bowling Green.
