Men's Basketball Defeats Missouri State

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - In one of its most complete performances of the season, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Missouri State, 74-61, Saturday from the Curb Event Center.
 
The Bruins held Missouri State, which had won four consecutive games in convincing fashion, to 29 percent shooting in the second half.
 
Belmont was locked in from the opening tip, getting five quick points from Cade Tyson as part of a 10-2 start.
 
In a first half the saw several huge momentum swings, Jonathan Mogbo gave Missouri State a 14-13 lead before EJ Bellinger and Drew Friberg capped a 12-3 response from the Bruins.
 
The physical game saw every dribble and pass fiercely contested, with open court opportunities at a premium.
 
Mogbo and Donovan Clay sparked a Missouri State run late in the first half, as a sequence of end-of-shot-clock 3-pointers got the visitors within 37-35 at halftime.
 
Belmont shot 46 percent (11-for-24) from the field in the opening 20 minutes, forcing nine Missouri State turnovers.
 
Tyson and Ben Sheppard combined to score 24 first-half points.
 
The duo made consecutive 3-pointers to start the second half to make the score 43-35 with 18:49 remaining.
 
After Chance Moore closed the margin to 47-45 on two free throws, Belmont delivered a decisive 14-2 to take control.
 
A Ja'Kobi Gillespie step back jump shot and two post scores from Even Brauns highlighted the run as Belmont led 61-47 with 7:28 left.
 
Belmont held Missouri State without a field goal for a nine-minute stretch before Mogbo scored with 6:40 remaining.
 
Keishawn Davidson completed his outstanding all-around floor game with a 3-pointer and two assists in the final five minutes.
 
All told, Belmont shot 46 percent (26-for-56) from the field – including 11-for-26 from 3-point distance.
 
Belmont had 10 steals.
 
Tyson led four Bruins in double figures with a career-high 20 points.
 
Sheppard had 17 points, six rebounds and three steals, while Friberg scored 11.
 
Brauns had 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.
 
Davidson had a season-high 10 assists.
 
Clay led Missouri State (8-8, 4-2 MVC) with 20 points.
 
Belmont (11-6, 4-2 MVC) returns to game action Tuesday at Valparaiso.