Box Score
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - - Behind an ultra-efficient second half, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Southeast Missouri, 89-64, Thursday night.
Leading 40-36 at halftime, Belmont shot 79 percent from the field in the second half on 22-for-28 shooting.
"We talked at halftime about raising the level of play and intensity by a level, and the team responded," Belmont head coach Casey Alexander said. "Our first half wasn't poor at all, but we just need to bring that little bit more in all areas. The team defense carried into our offense, and the guys played off of each other well."
A 3-pointer from graduate student Tyler Scanlon (Centreville, Va.) gave Belmont a 7-2 lead 64 seconds in.
From there, a putback basket from senior Seth Adelsperger (Peru, Ind.) increased the Belmont lead to 14-6.
Quatarrius Wilson gave Southeast Missouri a brief 17-16 advantage before the Bruins answered back.
A conventional 3-point play from sophomore Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) and a basket from sophomore Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) pushed Belmont to a 33-21 lead with 6:32 left in the half.
Belmont led 40-36 at halftime.
Belmont shot 49 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes - including 5-for-11 from 3-point distance.
Determined to seize command of the game, Scanlon capped a 9-0 run to give Belmont a 49-36 lead with 17:19 remaining.
The Bruins elevated their purpose and rebounding as well, turning defensive stops into high percentage shots offensively.
Scanlon and sophomore Adam Kunkel (Hebron, Ky.) took the scoring torch as Belmont extended to a 72-50 lead with 7:49 left.
As nine Bruins scored in the second half, Belmont held Southeast Missouri to 2-for-18 3-point shooting.
All told, Belmont shot 62 percent from the field and handed out 27 assists on 38 made field goals.
Scanlon led four Bruins in double figures with a season-high 21 points. Muszynski and Kunkel each scored 14 while sophomore Caleb Hollander (Nashville, Tenn.) scored a season-high 13 points.
Oscar Kao led Southeast Missouri (4-12, 0-3 OVC) with 15 points.
Belmont (11-5, 2-1 OVC) returns to game action Saturday, Jan. 11 at UT Martin.
