Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals from Grayson Murphy, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Evansville, 81-43, Saturday from the Curb Event Center.
Belmont held Evansville to 27 percent shooting while forcing 20 turnovers.
With four minutes left in the first half, Belmont had forced more Evansville shot clock violations (five) than allowed made field goals (four).
Leading 34-14 at halftime, Will Richard capped a 10-0 Belmont run to give the hosts a 52-22 lead with 12:58 remaining.
Belmont's depth made its mark, as a conventional 3-point play from Derek Sabin increased the margin to 79-33 with 4:55 left.
Belmont shot 53 percent (31-of-59) from the field and made 11 3-point field goals.
Richard and Ben Sheppard each scored 11 points.
All 12 Bruins who played in the game scored.
Shamar Givance led Evansville (1-2) with 17 points.
Belmont (1-1) returns to game action Monday vs. Furman.
Belmont University men's basketball has earned postseason invitations 14 of the last 16 seasons, including nine berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 20 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 11 consecutive seasons (BYU, Gonzaga, Saint Mary's (CA), San Diego State, Wichita State). Belmont is one of only four NCAA Division I programs to win 19 or more games 16 consecutive seasons (Gonzaga, Kansas, San Diego State). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 18 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
