Box Score RICHMOND, Ky. - - Behind a game-high 22 points from senior All-America candidate Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio), Belmont University men's basketball defeated Eastern Kentucky, 72-59, Saturday night.
Bradds went 9-for-13 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line in leading the way.
As was the case in last year's victory at the Colonels, Belmont got off to a fast start.
Despite two quick fouls whistled on junior Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.), the Bruins held Eastern Kentucky scoreless for the opening 6:27 of the game and seized a 9-0 lead on a driving basket from sophomore Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.).
In fact, Belmont forced 10 Colonel turnovers in the first eight minutes of the game, but impetuous decisions and quick shots kept the Bruins from fully capitalizing.
Two 3-pointers from Dillon Avare cut the margin to 18-14 at the 9:42 mark.
Moments later, Parker Chitty capped a 9-0 Colonel run to give the hosts a 20-18 lead.
Eight straight points from junior Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) pushed Belmont back in front, 26-24, a lead they would not relinquish.
Six more inside points from Bradds extended the edge to 10, 36-26, with 1:05 left in the half.
Belmont led 36-29 at halftime.
Belmont shot 44 percent (14-for-32) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 3-for-11 from 3-point distance.
Eastern Kentucky made seven of its first eight shots to open the second half, closing within 42-41 on a basket from DeAndre Dishman.
But a timely 3-pointer from McClain stablized things for the Bruins.
Belmont then held Eastern Kentucky scoreless for another five minute stretch, with senior Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.) punctuating a 12-0 run with a 3-pointer to give the Bruins a 57-45 advantage with 12:02 left.
The game largely became a post showdown between Bradds - the reigning OVC Player of the Year - and Eastern Kentucky's Nick Mayo - the reigning OVC Freshman of the Year.
A Bradds basket gave Belmont its largest lead, 63-50, with 8:39 remaining, and the Colonels would get no closer than eight points.
All told, Belmont shot 51 percent (28-for-55) from the field - including 61 percent in the second half.
Bradds led three Bruins in double figures with 22 points. Luke had 15, and McClain 11.
Mayo led Eastern Kentucky (8-12, 1-4 OVC) with 17 points.
Belmont (11-4, 5-0) returns to game action Thursday, Jan. 19 vs. Jacksonville State. 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. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTES: Belmont has won an NCAA-best 225 conference games since 2006 ... Belmont has won six consecutive road games, and 10 of its last 11 games overall ... Belmont outrebounded Eastern Kentucky, 34-29, and outscored the Colonels, 38-30, in the paint ... Bradds has scored 78 points over his last three games ... McClain scored in double figures for the ninth time in his career ... Luke's output was one shy of his season-high 16 vs. Western Kentucky (11/19/16) ... Belmont head coach Rick Byrd earned career victory No. 742, passing Temple legend John Chaney.
