NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Thursday vs. Eastern Kentucky.
Belmont defeated Tennessee Tech, 75-70, Feb. 10. Senior Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) scored a game-high 28 points - including the go-ahead 3-pointer with one minute remaining - for the Bruins.
The 6-8 forward has 60 career double figure scoring games and ranks among OVC leaders in eight statistical categories, including fourth in scoring (16.9) and third in 3-point field goals made (72).
Senior Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) had five assists at Tennessee Tech. Luke, the nation's leading returning assist man, ranks sixth nationally in assists per game (7.2) and third in total assists (194). The 6-3 guard is Belmont's NCAA Division I era career assist leader and currently ranks seventh among all active college basketball players in career assists (629).
Junior Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) has emerged as one of the top two-way players in college basketball. Windler recorded his 12th double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds at Tennessee Tech; putting him within five of Belmont NCAA Division I era single-season record for double-doubles of 17 (Adam Sonn, 2003). He is among NCAA leaders in double-doubles (12) and defensive rebounds (196), and has been named NCAA.com National Player of the Week and two-time OVC Player of the Week. Windler scored 16 points at Eastern Kentucky earlier this season.
Junior Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.) has continued his outstanding play this season, scoring 15 points and recording a huge blocked shot late at Tennessee Tech. The 6-2 guard has 19 double figure scoring games this season, and is averaging 13.9 points per game in league games. McClain has five or more rebounds in six conference games.
Senior Burton Sampson (Knoxville, Tenn.) delivered a clutch performance at Tennessee Tech, tallying eight points, four rebounds and a blocked shot in 23 minutes. Sampson sank two free throws with 17 seconds remaining to extend the Bruin lead to three points.
Two-time Belmont All-America forward Evan Bradds ('17) has a younger brother, Ethan, who is on the football team at Eastern Kentucky. Ethan, a 6-5, 245-pound tight end, redshirted this past fall.
This marks the 16th meeting between Belmont and Eastern Kentucky. Belmont won, 98-63, on Feb. 1 in Richmond, Kentucky.
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 the Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.
Eastern Kentucky at Belmont Game Notes
