NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Thursday at Jacksonville State.
Belmont defeated Morehead State, 108-65, Feb. 17. Junior Dylan Windler (Indianapolis, Ind.) recorded the third 30-20 game in America this season, with a career-high 36 points and 20 rebounds. The 6-7 guard/forward was named OVC Player of the Week for the third time this season Monday. Windler has emerged as one of the top two-way players in college basketball. He is within four of the Belmont NCAA Division I era single-season record for double-doubles of 17 (Adam Sonn, 2003). Windler stands among NCAA leaders in double-doubles (13) and defensive rebounds (215), and has been named NCAA.com National Player of the Week.
Senior Amanze Egekeze (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) scored a 17 points and added eight rebounds vs. Morehead State.
The 6-8 forward has 62 career double figure scoring games and ranks among OVC leaders in eight statistical categories, including fifth in scoring (16.9) and third in 3-point field goals made (79). Egekeze is one of only five forwards in the country with 200 or more career 3-point field goals made.
Senior Austin Luke (Rowlett, Texas) had eight points and eight assists vs. Morehead State. Luke, the nation's leading returning assist man, ranks fifth nationally in assists per game (7.2) and fourth in total assists (209). The 6-3 guard is Belmont's NCAA Division I era career assist leader and currently ranks third all-time in OVC history and seventh among all active college basketball players in career assists (644).
Junior Kevin McClain (Jennings, Fla.) has continued his outstanding play this season, producing 15 points and six assists vs. Morehead State. The 6-2 guard has 21 double figure scoring games this season, and is averaging 14.0 points per game in league games. McClain had a game-high 19 points vs. Jacksonville State earlier this season.
Junior Mack Mercer (Plymouth, Ind.) has scored in double figures in five of his six career games vs. Morehead State, including 13 points Feb. 17. Mercer has 17 career double figure scoring games.
Senior Burton Sampson (Knoxville, Tenn.) has seen increased minutes of late, provided clutch production off the bench at Eastern Illinois, at Tennessee Tech and vs. Eastern Kentucky.
Belmont has several ties to the state of Alabama. Belmont assistant coach James Strong and 2013 OVC Tournament MVP Kerron Johnson are natives of Huntsville. Former Bruin Drew Windler ('14) attended Samford University for three seasons. Assistant coach Mark Price is a graduate of Samford University and coached at Faulkner and UAH. Former Bruin Mick Hedgepeth ('12) is a native of Crossville.
This marks the 18th meeting between Belmont and Jacksonville State.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and the ESPN app. 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.
Belmont at Jacksonville State Game Notes
