Men's Basketball Defeats Valparaiso in First-Ever Missouri Valley Conference Game

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - It was a night years in the making.
 
After decades of championships, major-conference victories and postseason glory, Belmont University men's basketball authored a new chapter in the history of its tradition-rich program.
 
In its first-ever Missouri Valley Conference game, Belmont defeated Valparaiso, 76-64, Thursday night from the Curb Event Center.
 
After a back-and-forth start, Cade Tyson capped a 10-0 run to give Belmont a 29-18 lead with 5:28 left in the first half.
 
Belmont had two opportunities to ensure a double-figure halftime lead, but a steal and score from Kobe King in the final seconds got Valparaiso within 33-27 at halftime.
 
It was a defensive battle in the opening 20 minutes, as both teams shot under 40 percent from the field and registered a combined eight points in transition.
 
Purposeful scoring from Tyson and two baskets from Even Brauns increased the Belmont lead to 42-31 with 16:49 left.
 
From there, Drew Friberg buried three 3-point field goals in an 86 second span to push the margin to 14, 51-37, with 12:46 to go.
 
As expected with Missouri Valley Conference competition, every dribble, pass, catch and rebound was heavily contested with spirited, physical play.
 
Valparaiso closed within 57-51 on a Ben Krikke basket, but Ben Sheppard quickly responded for Belmont with a 3-pointer.
 
The Bruins made five consecutive shots down the stretch, as timely passing from Keishawn Davidson and confident play from EJ Bellinger helped secure the outcome.
 
All told, Belmont went 11-for-17 from 3-point distance in the second half.
 
Belmont outrebounded Valparaiso, 41-33, and handed out 18 assists on 26 made field goals.
 
Friberg led four Bruins in double figures with 20 points.
 
Tyson had 15 points and eight rebounds, while Bellinger scored a career-high 14.
 
Sheppard had 13 points and four assists.
 
King led Valparaiso (3-5, 0-1 MVC) with 21 points.
 
Belmont (5-3, 1-0 MVC) returns to game action Sunday, Dec. 4 at Illinois State.