Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind an avalanche of defensive pressure and 3-point shooting, Belmont University men's basketball defeated SIU Edwardsville, 114-62, Saturday.
Belmont set numerous program records, including its most points scored in the Curb Event Center, most points scored in a conference game and largest margin of victory in a conference game.
Belmont forced four turnovers in the first three minutes, as 3-pointers from junior Luke Smith (Knoxville, Tenn.) and sophomore Ben Sheppard (Atlanta, Ga.) highlighted a 13-0 start to the game.
Another Sheppard 3-pointer capped a 10-0 Belmont run and made the score 32-10 midway through the first half.
Belmont forced 16 SIU Edwardsville turnovers and shot 68 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes in leading 56-22 at halftime.
Belmont maintained its focus and defensive intensity in the second half, extending to a 77-36 lead with 13:18 left on a Smith basket.
A 3-pointer from freshman JaCobi Wood (Cleveland, Tenn.) pushed Belmont over the century mark with six minutes remaining.
All told, Belmont shot 61 percent (41-of-67) from the field - including 17-of-31 from 3-point distance.
Belmont handed out 29 assists.
All 13 Bruins scored.
Sheppard and Smith led five Bruins in double figures with 18 points each.
Iziah James led SIU Edwardsville (4-5, 2-1 OVC) with 12 points.
Belmont has won 28 of its last 29 games and 22 consecutive conference games.
Belmont (16-1, 10-0 OVC) returns to game action Thursday at Austin Peay.
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
