NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Saturday vs. SIU Edwardsville.
Belmont defeated Eastern Illinois, 81-59, Jan. 25. Junior Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) scored a game-high 28 points for the Bruins. Windler, named NCAA.com National Player of the Week Sunday, has scored 105 points in the last five games. Windler's offensive efficiency rating is 10th nationally among perimeter players, per Ken Pomeroy.
Senior Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) recorded his 56th career double figure scoring game Thursday vs. Eastern Illinois. The 6-8 forward ranks among OVC leaders in eight statistical categories, including fifth in scoring (16.5) and third in 3-point field goals (59). Egekeze scored 29 points in the previous meeting at SIU Edwardsville.
Junior Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) had a game-high seven assists vs. Eastern Illinois. Luke, the nation's leading returning assist man, has 34 career games of eight or more assists. He ranks ninth nationally in assists per game (7.2).
Junior Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.) has 14 double figure scoring games this season, his first career double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds at SIU Edwardsville.
Senior Tyler Hadden (Cincinnati, Ohio) had a career night Thursday vs. Eastern Illinois, scoring 17 points and adding eight rebounds. Having played 54 minutes in the previous eight conference games, Hadden played a career-high 26 minutes Thursday, taking advantage of head coach Rick Byrd's confidence in him.
2012 Belmont graduate Drew Hanlen is a native of St. Louis. As CEO of Pure Sweat Basketball, Hanlen has become one of the most respected player development consultants and strategic skills coaches in the NBA. His clients include Dwight Howard, Andrew Wiggins, Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum, Zach LaVine, Thon Maker, Kelly Oubre, and former teammate and Belmont All-American Ian Clark ('13).
With the OVC expanding to an 18-game conference schedule, this marks the first time Belmont and SIU Edwardsville will place twice in the same regular season.
This marks the seventh meeting between Belmont and SIU Edwardsville. Belmont won, 76-61, Jan. 11 in Edwardsville, Illinois.
Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. from the Curb Event Center. The game will be broadcast on OVC Digital Network. The live play-by-play of the Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
SIU Edwardsville at Belmont Game Notes
