Men's Basketball Falls at Furman

GREENVILLE, S.C. - - Belmont University men's basketball dropped a 99-76 decision at Furman Friday night from Timmons Arena.
 
After showcasing balanced scoring and resiliency in its season-opening victory over Georgia State, the Bruins were unable to put a complete game together against the Southern Conference favorite Paladins.
 
Six different Bruins scored in the first nine minutes, but a strong start from Furman forward Garrett Hien gave the hosts a 22-17 lead.
 
From there, a stretch of disjointed possessions and 3-point field goal makes from Tyrese Hughey and Marcus Foster extended the margin to 34-17.
 
Kyler Vanderjagt provided a huge lift off the bench to spark Belmont, as four straight points and consecutive baskets from Malik Dia got the Bruins within 40-29 with 2:28 left in the first half.
 
After a Dia slam closed the margin to 10 points, Belmont had an opportunity to get closer right before halftime.
 
But a missed shot and a JP Pegues 3-pointer closed the first half.
 
Though Belmont outscored Furman in points in the paint and points off turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, the Bruins went 0-for-10 from 3-point distance.
 
The uptempo, high possession game that was anticipated, materialized.
 
The Bruins simply needed greater consistency and execution.
 
Belmont was engaged and spirited out of the locker room, as a Ja'Kobi Gillespie conventional 3-point play and a Cade Tyson putback quickly closed the margin to 10, 46-36, with 19:04 left.
 
But in keeping with a common theme of the evening, each Belmont burst was answered by Furman – invariably from long distance.
 
In fact, Belmont scored eight points in the first three minutes of the second half; only to see 3-point makes from Foster and PJay Smith – and a 4-point play from Pegues – neutralize the Bruin charge.
 
Nevertheless, the Bruins continued to battle and hang around.
 
More offensive production from Vanderjagt and Jayce Willingham sparked a 9-2 run to make the score 58-48 with 14:22 remaining.
 
The remarkable pendulum swings of runs went back to Furman as a Ben Vanderwal putback stretched the margin back to 18.
 
But following a Win Miller layin and five points from Keishawn Davidson, a determined Tyson conventional 3-point play got Belmont within 69-61 with 10:50 left.
 
After not making a 3-point field goal the first 25 minutes of the game, and taking numerous standing eight-counts from Furman, the Bruins had systematically given themselves a chance down the stretch.
 
During a turning point, following a physical Willingham dunk through contact, Smith answered with a baseline 3-pointer against scrambling Belmont defense to make the score 76-63 with 8:58 left.
 
Hughey answered with a tip slam as the Paladins scored 16 of the final 21 points.
 
All told, Belmont shot 44 percent from the field – but an uncharacteristic 3-for-21 from 3-point distance.
 
Gillespie led three Belmont players in double figures with 21 points, five rebounds and two steals.
 
Vanderjagt had a career-high 12 points and three steals.
 
Willingham added 11 points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.
 
Pegues led Furman (2-0) with 23 points.
 
Belmont (1-1) returns to game action Tuesday, Nov. 14 vs. Berry. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT from the Curb Event Center.

Belmont University men's basketball has been a postseason fixture the last two decades, 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 13 consecutive seasons (Gonzaga, Kansas, Oregon) and 19 or game games in 18 consecutive seasons (Gonzaga, Kansas, San Diego State). Belmont is among select programs with two or more first-round selections in the NBA Draft over the last five years (Ben Sheppard, Dylan Windler). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 19 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