Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball defeated Austin Peay, 71-63, Saturday from the Curb Event Center.
Belmont led the majority of the game - and the entire second half - but could not break free from the visiting Governors in a physical, intense game.
The Bruins led 32-30 at halftime despite early foul trouble for sophomore Adam Kunkel (Hebron, Ky.) and graduate student Tyler Scanlon (Centreville, Va.).
Belmont twice stretched the lead to seven points before Terry Taylor trimmed the margin to 52-50 with 8:16 left.
Sophomore Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) hit two baseline 3-pointers during a decisive 10-2 run that gave Belmont a 62-52 lead with 4:11 remaining.
Belmont went 7-for-8 from the free throw line in the final 1:16 to secure the victory.
All told, Belmont shot 45 percent (22-for-49) from the field - including 9-for-26 from 3-point distance.
Kunkel led four Belmont players in double figures with 19 points. Sophomore Caleb Hollander (Nashville, Tenn.) added a season-high 14 points.
Murphy had 12 points, six rebounds and five steals, while Scanlon added 10.
Taylor led Austin Peay (16-9, 10-2 OVC) with 26 points and a Curb Event Center record 23 rebounds.
Belmont is 123-10 at home since 2011.
Belmont (18-7, 9-3 OVC) returns to game action Thursday, Feb. 13 vs. Tennessee State.
