Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind an overwhelming first-half run, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Eastern Kentucky, 87-56, Thursday night at the Curb Event Center.
Tied at 7 nearly four minutes in, Belmont rode the inspired play of senior Seth Adelsperger (Peru, Ind.) on a 15-0 run to seize control midway through the first half.
As unified Bruin defense limited Eastern Kentucky to contested perimeter shots, Belmont extended the electrifying run to 31-6 over a 10-minute span.
Consecutive transition scores from senior Michael Benkert (Greenwood, Ind.) and graduate student Tyler Scanlon (Centreville, Va.) made the score 38-13 with 5:40 left in the half, sending the Belmont student section into a frenzy.
Offensive spurts from Jomaru Brown helped Eastern Kentucky close within 44-28 at halftime, and 44-34 with 18:44 remaining.
But sophomore Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) reasserted Belmont's presence in the paint, as his three consecutive scores extended the Belmont lead to 52-34 with 16:52 left.
The all-court game of sophomore Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) and quality bench contributions from freshman Ben Sheppard (Atlanta, Ga.) and sophomore Caleb Hollander (Nashville, Tenn.) fortified the Bruin advantage.
Belmont limited Eastern Kentucky to 31 percent shooting and outrebounded the Colonels, 56-29.
All told, Belmont shot 47 percent (33-for-70) from the field, handing out 22 assists on 33 made field goals.
11 Belmont players scored.
Muszynski led three Bruins in double figures with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Adelsperger and sophomore Adam Kunkel (Hebron, Ky.) each scored 12.
Brown led Eastern Kentucky (6-12, 3-2 OVC) with 25 points.
Belmont (13-5, 4-1 OVC) returns to game action Saturday, Jan. 18 vs. Morehead State. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. from the Curb Event Center.
