Men's Basketball Falls at Illinois State

NORMAL, Ill. - - After a promising first half, Belmont University men's basketball dropped an 87-77 decision at Illinois State Sunday.

"I'm really disappointed," Belmont head coach Casey Alexander said afterwards. "We had such a strong, purposeful first 15 minutes. But from there, Illinois State maintained its focus and aggression, and we did not. They got comfortable shooting, in large part because their aggression was rewarded. We need to realize quickly, that in this league, you cannot be passive or selective with effort or urgency. I really like our group, and know that we will respond."
 
The Bruins held Illinois State scoreless for the first 4:44 of the game, building a 7-0 lead on scores from Ben Sheppard and Keishawn Davidson.
 
But opportunities to fully capitalize on the impressive defensive start were squandered as a number of high percentage shots at the rim would not go down.
 
Ja'Kobi Gillespie capped an 8-0 run to give Belmont a 16-9 lead.
 
Belmont limited the Redbirds to nine points in the first 12-plus minutes of the game with inspired, unified defense.
 
But from there, the Bruins had to shoulder torrid perimeter shooting from the hosts.
 
Liam McChesney and Luke Kasubke led an Illinois State charge late in the first half, as the Redbirds scored nine of the final 12 points.
 
Belmont led 31-30 at halftime.
 
Belmont shot 41 percent (11-for-27) from the field in the opening 20 minutes – including 4-for-8 from 3-point distance.
 
The Bruins forced seven first-half turnovers.
 
Strong second half scoring from Cade Tyson gave Belmont a 35-32 lead with 18:33 left.
 
However, Illinois State carried its offensive momentum into the second half, and found scoring from all angles and contributors.
 
In fact, Illinois State made 11 consecutive 3-point field goals from late first half through the midway point of the second half to take control.
 
A second step-back 3 from Seneca Knight capped the shooting stretch as Illinois State took a 62-51 lead with 9:46 remaining.
 
Belmont got lifts from Sheppard, Gillespie and EJ Bellinger, but were never able to get the margin under nine points down the stretch.
 
All told, Belmont shot 46 percent from the field and forced 19 turnovers.
 
Illinois State shot 13-for-21 from 3-point distance for the game.
 
Sheppard led four Bruins in double figures with 23 points. Gillespie had 13 points and three steals.
 
Tyson and Drew Friberg each scored 10.
 
McChesney led Illinois State (3-6, 1-1 MVC) with 25 points.
 
Illinois State outrebounded Belmont, 37-21.
 
Belmont had won a remarkable 59 consecutive games when leading at halftime.
 
Belmont (5-4, 1-1 MVC) returns to game action Tuesday, Dec. 6 vs. Trevecca Nazarene.