Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball dropped a 79-69 decision to SIU Edwardsville Thursday to open Ohio Valley Conference play.
The Bruins entered having won each of the previous eight meetings vs. SIU Edwardsville by an average of margin 17 points, were 55-3 all-time in OVC home games, and had won 122 of its previous 131 games at the Curb Event Center.
But a cold, rainy evening in Nashville portended uncharacteristically disjointed play and poor shooting against the visiting Cougars.
Belmont led 30-28 at halftime and increased the lead to 37-31 on a driving basket from sophomore Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.).
But after a Bruin empty trip to extend the margin, SIU Edwardsville made three consecutive 3-pointers in a 55 second span to reclaim the lead.
As Belmont managed foul trouble throughout its starting five, SIU Edwardsville experienced an efficient second-half of offense, leading 63-49 with 7:04 left on an Anselm Uzuegbunem basket.
Murphy and sophomore Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) sparked a furious Belmont comeback, closing within 67-63 with 3:19 remaining.
After a Belmont 3-point attempt to close within one point rimmed off, Tyresse Williford banked in a 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock to give the Cougars a 70-63 lead with 2:11 remaining.
Belmont would again close within four points, 73-69, with 1:17 to go on a Muszynski 3-pointer, but SIU Edwardsville free throws and Bruin missed field goal attempts enabled the visitors to finish the game.
All told, Belmont shot just 35 percent from the field, including a season-low 8-for-36 from 3-point distance.
SIU Edwardsville shot 58 percent in the second half.
Muszynski led five Bruins in double figures with 15 points.
Zeke Moore had 17 points for SIU Edwardsville (4-10, 1-0 OVC).
Belmont (9-5, 0-1 OVC) returns to game action Saturday, Jan. 4 vs. Eastern Illinois. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. CT.
