Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind a game-high 24 points from senior All-America candidate Evan Bradds (Jamestown, Ohio), Belmont University men's basketball defeated SIU Edwardsville, 92-69, Monday night.
Coming off of a sterling performance Saturday night at Tennessee State - and consistent efforts on both ends throughout OVC play - Belmont looked to continue its form to round out January.
The visiting Cougars grabbed a 7-2 lead 90 seconds into the game, before a conventional 3-point play from junior Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) and a basket from Bradds tied the score.
A 3-pointer from senior Taylor Barnette (Lexington, Ky.) and five points from senior Nick Smith (Bentonville, Ark.) capped the 13-2 run.
In fact, Belmont held SIU Edwardsville to one field goal over a nine minute stretch in building a 20-11 lead.
A gorgeous transition 3-pointer from Egekeze following more strong defense electrified the boisterous Belmont student student.
And thought SIU Edwardsville would cut the margin to seven points on three occasions - and junior point guard Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) battled foul trouble - Belmont methodically built a working margin, scoring 16 of the final 25 points of the first half to lead 43-29 at halftime.
Belmont shot 56 percent (14-for-25) from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 5-for-12 from 3-point distance. The Bruins were +10 in rebounds in the first half, but 11 turnovers halted momentum.
Bradds scored five baskets in the first five minutes of the second half to push the lead to 57-40 with 14:48 left.
More timely bench contributions from Smith and sophomore Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.) kept SIU Edwardsville at bay as the Bruins executed with surgical precision in the halfcourt.
Freshmen Seth Adelsperger (Peru, Ind.) and Michael Benkert (Greenwood, Ind.) scored in the final moments.
All told, Belmont shot 62 percent (32-for-52) from the field - including 67 percent in the second half. The Bruins outscored the Cougars, 50-28, in the paint.
Belmont had five players in double figures for a second straight game.
Bradds had 24 points and seven rebounds. Smith added 22. Barnette had 19 while Egekeze scored 12. McClain had 10.
Burak Eslik led SIU Edwardsville (5-19, 0-10 OVC) with 18 points.
Belmont (16-4, 10-0) returns to game action Thursday, Feb. 2 at Murray State. 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. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
NOTES: Belmont has won 12 straight games and 15 of its last 16 ... Belmont is 86-6 in its last 92 home games and 36-1 in OVC games at the Curb Event Center ... Bradds has 192 points and 64 rebounds over his last eight games ... Barnette had perhaps his most complete game of the season with 19 points - on seven field goal attempts - six rebounds and six assists ... Smith scored in double figures for the fourth time in OVC play ... Adelsperger scored for the third time in his last four games ... Belmont outscored SIU Edwardsville, 35-11, in points off the bench ... Belmont had 22 assists on 32 made field goals.
