Box Score MURRAY, Ky. - - [rv/--] Belmont University men's basketball dropped a 76-43 decision at [19/21] Murray State Thursday.
In the first game of the 2021-22 college basketball season featuring two teams with a combined 50 wins, a 40-minute slugfest was anticipated.
And while several Bruin and Racer players were shaken up during the game, Murray State was able to use its defense to seize control late in the first half.
Belmont got off to a positive start, with crisp ball movement and strong defense generating high percentage shots.
But a series of unfortunate rim outs coupled with a run of impressive contested 3-pointers from Tevin Brown stabilized the game for the host team.
Despite the adversity, a Nick Muszynski basket and a Ben Sheppard 3-pointer made the score 16-13 12 minutes in.
Following a Grayson Murphy steal and score, Murray State closed the half on a decisive 15-2 run.
Unlike its impressive comeback victory at Atlantic 10 contender Saint Louis, cold 3-point shooting halted any Belmont momentum, as KJ Williams used an array of offensive shotmaking.
Will Richard led Belmont with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Belmont (24-6, 14-3 OVC) returns to game action Saturday vs. Tennessee State.
Belmont University men's basketball has earned postseason invitations 14 of the last 16 seasons, including nine berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 20 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (Gonzaga, Kansas). Belmont has won 20 or more games in 12 consecutive seasons (Gonzaga, Kansas, Oregon). Belmont is one of only six NCAA Division I programs outside the Power 5 to post Top 100 rankings 11 consecutive seasons (BYU, Gonzaga, Saint Mary's (CA), San Diego State, Wichita State). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 18 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
