Box Score MORHEAD, Ky. - - Belmont University men's basketball dropped an 89-82 overtime decision at Morehead State Saturday.
Playing without two-time All-OVC center and reigning OVC Tournament Most Valuable Player Nick Muszynski for a second consecutive game, Belmont raced out to a 7-0 lead on a 3-pointer from junior Caleb Hollander (Nashville, Tenn.).
The Bruins held Morehead State to 11 points the first 11-plus minutes and forced 10 first half turnovers, but were simply unable to build a working margin because of uncharacteristically cold outside shooting.
After Johni Broome gave Morehead State a 26-20 lead, junior Grayson Murphy (Franklin, Tenn.) sparked an 11-0 run over 100 seconds to give Belmont a five-point lead.
Morehead State led 32-31 at halftime.
A game that featured eight ties and seven lead changes became a true halfcourt slugfest in the second half.
Belmont, among the nation's top teams in defensive foul rate, ran into significant foul trouble, helping Morehead State manufacture points.
Murphy and Hollander carried much of the scoring load as the game stayed within one possession most of the second half.
Five consecutive points from Broome gave Morehead State a 63-56 lead with 3:02 remaining.
Two Devon Cooper free throws made the score 69-60 with 1:06 to go before a courageous and electrifying Belmont comeback.
After two free throws from freshman JaCobi Wood (Cleveland, Tenn.), a baseline slam from sophomore Ben Sheppard (Atlanta, Ga.) got Belmont within 69-64 with 50 seconds left.
A conventional 3-point play from Murphy trimmed the margin to four before two KJ Hunt free throws gave Morehead State a 70-64 lead with 36 seconds left.
After Wood scored to trim the margin to four points, junior Tate Pierson (Brentwood, Tenn.) would steal a Morehead State pass and score a layin to bring Belmont within 73-71 with 25 seconds left.
Belmont would go for a steal and eventually foul Hunt with 18 seconds remaining.
Hunt would miss both free throw attempts, but the ensuing rebound would bounce around and Morehead State secured possession before Belmont fouled Ta'lon Cooper with 13 seconds left.
Cooper made the first free throw, but missed the second, giving Belmont an opportunity to extend the game.
Wood would pass to Murphy, who proceeded to make a deep, stepback 3-pointer with four seconds left to tie the game at 74-74.
Following a timeout, Hunt would miss an off-balance shot at the buzzer and the game would go to overtime.
Belmont would not be able to carry momentum into overtime, going empty on its first five offensive possessions.
And while Morehead State made only one field goal in the five extra minutes - a Ta'lon Cooper basket to make the score 80-74 - the Eagles went 13-of-14 from free throw line in overtime.
All told, Belmont shot 37 percent (28-of-76) from the field - including 12-of-43 from 3-point distance.
Murphy, who posted the first triple-double of Belmont's NCAA Division I era in victory over Morehead State Feb. 11, had a career-high 24 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Sheppard and Hollander each scored 17 points.
Broome led Morehead State (20-7, 17-3 OVC) with 20 points.
Having claimed its 12th conference regular season championship in 16 years, Belmont will be the No. 1 seed in the OVC Tournament.
Belmont (24-3, 18-2 OVC) will play SIU Edwardsville Wednesday, March 3 in the first round of the OVC Tournament. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT.
