Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind a career-high 21 points from sophomore Ben Sheppard (Atlanta, Ga.), Belmont University men's basketball defeated Murray State, 68-55, Wednesday night from the Curb Event Center.
A national television audience was treated to the debut of Belmont's new red throwback uniforms and an inspired Bruin performance on both ends of the floor.
Belmont limited Murray State to one field goal over the opening four and a half minutes in building a 10-3 lead.
Baskets from Sheppard and junior Luke Smith (Knoxville, Tenn.) pushed the margin to 20-10 with 8:55 left in the first half.
Brion Whitley closed a 15-4 Murray State run as the Racers took a brief 25-24 lead.
A coast-to-coast steal and score from junior Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) gave Belmont a 26-25 lead at halftime.
While Belmont controlled much of the play, 30 percent shooting - including 2-for-13 from 3-point distance - in the opening 20 minutes inhibited the Bruin cause.
But the Bruins remained united and resolute, as purposeful defense and rebounding sparked an offensive surge.
A deep Murphy 3-pointer followed by a Murphy-to-Sheppard fast break layin highlighted an energized 9-0 Belmont run giving the Bruins a 44-34 lead with 13:38 remaining.
Murray State would get within seven points on three occasions, but Belmont had an answer through halfcourt execution and strong finishing at the rim.
Six Bruins scored during another 14-4 run, capped by a 3-pointer from junior Tate Pierson (Brentwood, Tenn.) which increased the lead to 17, 66-49, with 3:20 left.
Belmont would shoot 60 percent from the field in the second half, while forcing 15 Murray State turnovers.
Sheppard also spearheaded a Belmont defensive effort which limited Murray State All-OVC guard Tevin Brown to six points on 2-for-8 shooting.
Murphy added 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals, while junior Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) had 12 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots.
Brion Whitley led Murray State (4-4, 1-2 OVC) with 15 points.
Belmont has won 10 of 15 meetings vs. Murray State since joining the OVC in 2013.
Belmont (9-1, 3-0 OVC) returns to game action Saturday, Jan. 2 at UT Martin. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. CT.
Belmont University men's basketball has earned postseason invitations 14 of the last 15 seasons, including nine berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 19 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (Gonzaga, Kansas). Belmont is one of only six NCAA Division I programs outside the Power 5 to post Top 100 rankings 10 consecutive seasons (BYU, Gonzaga, Saint Mary's (CA), San Diego State, Wichita State). Belmont is one of only six NCAA Division I programs to win 19 or more games 15 consecutive seasons (Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Michigan State, San Diego State). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 17 CoSIDA Academic All-America selections since 2001 and is the only NCAA Division I program to make the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Honor Roll every year of existence.
