Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Junior Caleb Hollander (Nashville, Tenn.) had 18 points and eight rebounds as Belmont University men's basketball defeated Jacksonville State, 63-59, Thursday.
With the victory, Belmont has won 20 consecutive games, 29 consecutive conference games (including an OVC-record 27 consecutive regular season conference games) and secured at least a share of a 12th regular season conference championship in 16 years.
Belmont, annually one of the nation's top 3-point shooting teams, fought through 0-of-16 shooting from the behind the arc in the first half.
A Kayne Henry basket gave Jacksonville State a 35-26 lead with 16:50 left.
Strong post scoring from junior Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) carried Belmont's offense.
The Bruins closed within one possession seven times during the second half only to have Jacksonville State respond behind Jalen Finch and Darian Adams.
A 3-pointer from junior Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) got Belmont within 53-52 with 4:39 remaining.
On the next sequence, Murphy proceeded to steal the ball from Finch and tip the ball downcourt to a sprinting Hollander, who completed a twisting conventional 3-point play to give Belmont its first lead since 17:27 of the first half.
A backdoor slam to sophomore Ben Sheppard (Atlanta, Ga.) and two Hollander free throws capped a 10-0 Belmont run to make the score 59-53 with 2:37 left.
Adams would score five points in the final 24 seconds, but four consecutive free throws from junior Luke Smith (Knoxville, Tenn.) secured the outcome.
Belmont shot 56 percent (14-of-25) from the field in the second half and scored 19 points off turnovers.
Muszynski had 16 points, six rebounds, three blocked shots and two assists.
Adams led Jacksonville State (14-8, 10-6 OVC) with 24 points.
Belmont has won 35 of its last 36 games and won an NCAA-best 20 consecutive road/neutral games.
Belmont (23-1, 17-0 OVC) returns to game action Saturday vs. Tennessee Tech.
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
