Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind a season-high 26 points from junior Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio), Belmont University men's basketball defeated Southeast Missouri, 77-66, Thursday.
Muszynski went 9-of-14 from the field and 8-of-11 from the free throw line as the Bruins won their eighth consecutive game.
After Belmont seized an early 16-6 lead, Southeast Missouri closed the first half on an 11-2 run to lead 35-33 at halftime.
Muszynski capped a 7-0 Belmont run to open the second half and the Bruins did not trail again.
A basket from freshman JaCobi Wood (Cleveland, Tenn.) gave Belmont a 59-47 lead with 8:04 remaining.
Two Nana Akenten free throws got Southeast Missouri within 64-62 with 3:22 left, before junior Luke Smith (Knoxville, Tenn.) buried a wing 3-pointer to increase the margin to five.
Muszynski scored seven points in the final 2:37 to secure the outcome.
Belmont shot 48 percent (30-for-62) from the field and forced 15 turnovers.
Smith scored 12 points - all in the second half - while Wood added 11.
Junior Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) added eight points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Akenten led Southeast Missouri (3-7, 1-3 OVC) with 20 points.
Belmont has won 23 of its last 24 games dating back to last season.
The Bruins have won all 10 meetings in the series with Southeast Missouri.
Belmont (11-1, 5-0 OVC) returns to game action Saturday vs. UT Martin.
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
