Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Junior Nick Muszynski (Pickerington, Ohio) scored 19 points as Belmont University men's basketball defeated Tennessee Tech, 90-66, Saturday.
The victory secured Belmont's 12th regular season conference championship in 16 years, and seventh in nine years of Ohio Valley Conference membership.
Belmont has won 21 consecutive games and 30 consecutive conference games.
Belmont and Gonzaga are the only programs in America to win 36 of their last 37 games.
Consecutive layins from freshman JaCobi Wood (Cleveland, Tenn.) and a Muszynski conventional 3-point play gave Belmont a 22-13 lead midway through the first half.
All 13 players saw action in the first half as head coach Casey Alexander showcased the team's depth.
Belmont limited Tennessee Tech to 34 percent shooting and one assist in the first half in leading 42-26 at halftime.
A 3-pointer from junior Luke Smith (Knoxville, Tenn.) and consecutive Muszynski baskets made the score 62-36 with 13:40 left.
Sophomore Ben Sheppard (Atlanta, Ga.) scored four quick points in transition to give Belmont a 75-43 lead with 10:19 remaining.
Junior Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) flirted with a triple-double on consecutive Saturdays before Bruin reserves played much of the second half.
All told, Belmont shot 49 percent (34-of-69) from the field and scored 52 points in the paint.
Wood had 15 points while Sheppard added 11 points and seven rebounds.
Murphy had eight points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
Damaria Franklin led Tennessee Tech (3-22, 3-15 OVC) with 18 points.
Belmont has won an NCAA-best 20 consecutive road/neutral games.
Belmont (24-1, 18-0 OVC) returns to game action Thursday at Eastern Kentucky.
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
