Men's Basketball Defeats UIC

CHICAGO - - Behind 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists from Ben Sheppard, Belmont University men's basketball defeated UIC, 77-71, Wednesday night.
 
Sheppard spearheaded a spirited team performance as the Bruins handed out 21 assists on 27 made field goals.
 
Sheppard had a hand in Belmont's first seven points and he teamed with Drew Friberg on consecutive 3-point field goals to give the Bruins a 15-13 lead seven minutes in.
 
While both teams sought to push tempo, each struggled with turnovers and shot selection during sections of a disjointed first half.
 
After Filip Skobalj gave UIC a 27-22 lead, Belmont closed the half on a purposeful 13-4 run.
 
Ja'Kobi Gillespie scored inside, then moments later set up Sheppard for a transition score as Belmont led 35-31 at halftime.
 
Belmont shot 40 percent (12-for-30) from the field in the opening 20 minutes – including 6-for-14 from 3-point distance.
 
The teams combined for 22 first-half turnovers.
 
Even Brauns roared out of the locker room, with two dunks and a transition layin in the first two minutes of the second half as Belmont extended to a 41-33 advantage.
 
Belmont continued to showcase strong, unified team defense, forcing UIC into contested shot attempts and empty possessions.
 
The defensive stops led to free-flowing offense, as a conventional 3-point play from Cade Tyson and another Friberg 3-point field goal gave Belmont a 53-41 lead with 11:36 left.
 
After a highlight reel dunk from Sheppard through the heart of the lane and a conventional 3-point play from Derek Sabin, UIC got within 58-54 on a Jace Carter 3-pointer.
 
But as he provided in the first half off the bench, Michael Shanks sparked a strong Belmont response with hustle plays and unselfishness.
 
In a one-minute span, Shanks recorded a hockey assist on a Tyson 3-pointer, a baseline jump shot, a steal, and an assist on a Keishawn Davidson 3-pointer as the Bruins increased the lead to 66-54 with 7:49 remaining.
 
Five quick points from EJ Bellinger helped maintain a double figure lead to the under-four media timeout.
 
After a Frank Jakubicek score, Belmont had to play through some uncharacteristic free throw shooting in the final minute to secure the outcome.
 
All told, Belmont shot 45 percent (27-for-60) from the field – including 50 percent in the second half.
 
Belmont outrebounded UIC, 43-41, and scored eight more second chance points.
 
All 11 Bruins who played in the game scored.
 
Sheppard led three Bruins in double figures.
 
Friberg had 12 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Brauns scored 10.
 
Tyson had eight points, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.
 
Carter led UIC (9-7, 1-4 MVC) with 21 points.
 
Belmont (10-6, 3-2 MVC) returns to game action Saturday vs. Missouri State. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center.