Men's Basketball Defeats Valparaiso

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind 18 points and 10 rebounds from Malik Dia, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Valparaiso, 77-68, Saturday from the Curb Event Center.
 
Playing without leading scorer and reigning Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year Cade Tyson, Belmont got 3-pointers from Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Keishawn Davidson and Jayce Willingham to take a 9-0 lead.
 
The lead extended to 21-9 on a 3-pointer from Win Miller, before Valparaiso worked back into the game behind the play of Cooper Schwieger.
 
Following more active defense, Belmont got consecutive thunderous slam dunks in transition from Dia to make the score 34-21.
 
The Bruins also kept offensive possessions alive as Willingham and Brigham Rogers provided seven of Belmont's 13 offensive rebounds.
 
Belmont led 43-34 at halftime.
 
Belmont shot 55 percent (17-for-31) from the field in the opening 20 minutes – including 6-for-14 from 3-point distance.
 
The Bruins had 12 first-half assists.
 
The lead hung around 10 much of the second half before two Willingham free throws and an Isaiah Walker 3-pointer increased the margin to 14, 66-52, with 9:21 left.
 
Belmont relied on its defense and rebounding as uncharacteristic Bruin turnovers and missed free throws kept the offense from finding a rhythm.
 
Two timely Gillespie baskets in traffic made the score 71-59 with 4:37 left.
 
All told, Belmont shot 52 percent (30-for-58) from the field and outrebounded Valparaiso, 43-31.
 
Dia led four Bruins in double figures with 18 points and 10 rebounds – his first career double-double.
 
Gillespie had 14 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals.
 
Willingham provided 12 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
 
Davidson continued his fine play with 11 points and four assists.
 
Isaiah Stafford led Valparaiso (4-4, 0-2 MVC) with 21 points.
 
Belmont has won four consecutive games.
 
Belmont (6-3, 2-0 MVC) returns to game action Wednesday vs. Lipscomb.

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