Sheppard's Free Throws Cap Historic Comeback Victory over Indiana State

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Scoring. Non-stop excitement. Unforgettable finishes. 

Belmont University men's basketball has turned the Curb Event Center into Nashville's 'Place to Be,' and Wednesday night was the latest installment. 

Ben Sheppard's two free throws with 2.5 seconds remaining lifted Belmont to a dramatic 89-88 victory over Indiana State. 

With the victory, Belmont joins Gonzaga and Kansas as the only programs in America to win 20 or more games 13 straight seasons. 

The Bruins trailed by as many as 19 points in registering the biggest comeback in Curb Event Center history. 

For Sheppard and fellow seniors EJ Bellinger, Derek Sabin and graduate student Drew Friberg, it was a storybook ending in their final home game. 

A high-scoring game was expected with the Bruins and Sycamores ranking among the most efficient offenses in the nation. 

Four points from Cade Tyson and a Friberg 3-pointer gave Belmont an 11-7 lead. 

But Indiana State – which entered riding a 7-game win streak by an average margin 21 points per victory – showcased its versatility, skill and balanced scoring. 

Cooper Neese capped a 14-2 run to give Indiana State a 21-13 lead eight minutes in. 

With Tyson saddled with two personal fouls, Belmont got timely bench contributions from Bellinger, Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Isaiah Walker to get within 26-25. 

From there, Belmont made one field goal over the next six minutes, with numerous clean looks rimming out. 

Robbie Avila, Xavier Bledson and Jayson Kent keyed a 19-3 spurt as Indiana State built a 45-28 advantage. 

After scores from Sheppard and Tyson, two Kent free throws made the score 51-32 with 56 seconds left in the first half. 

A Michael Shanks 3-point field goal and a Gillespie driving basket cut into the margin before Neese hit a contested 25-footer before the halftime buzzer. 

Indiana State led 54-37 at halftime. 

Belmont shot 44 percent (16-for-36) from the field in the opening 20 minutes. But Indiana State's inside-outside attack posted 62 percent shooting in the first half. 

Tyson led Belmont with nine first-half points. 

Back-to-back 3-point field goals from Friberg and Sheppard highlighted an 11-2 run to start the second half as Belmont got within 56-47 with 16:58 left. 

Despite an Indiana State timeout, the furious rally continued as two straight 3-pointers from Keishawn Davidson and a Friberg floater tied the score at 60 with 13:29 remaining. 

The electricity in the Curb Event Center was palpable as the crowd and Belmont student section roared in approval of the huge momentum shift. 

Indiana State stabilized behind a post basket and a rare 3-pointer from reserve center Cade McKnight to reclaim a five-point lead. 

Sheppard and Gillespie continued to deliver for Belmont, but Indiana State found timely scoring from Neese and free throws to keep the Bruins from taking the lead. 

After Friberg cut the margin to 72-70, Avila sparked a 9-0 Indiana State run. 

A Courvoisier McCauley 3-pointer made the score 81-70 with 5:52 left. 

The Bruins had expended so much energy in erasing the 19-point deficit that many thought the visiting Sycamores had staved off the hosts' best shot. 

But Belmont answered back and managed time and score exceedingly well; two more Gillespie driving scores around a Davidson 3-pointer got the Bruins within 83-77 with 3:58 to go, 

After Tyson rimmed out a baseline 3-pointer to cut the margin in half, Belmont created a disjointed Indiana State possession before McCauley made a deep 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock to push the Sycamores lead to nine points, 86-77, with 3:16 remaining. 

Gillespie answered with 3-pointer seconds later, and then following an Indiana State turnover he added one free throw with 2:18 to go. 

Gillespie's second free throw to get Belmont within four points rimmed out, but Friberg grabbed the biggest offensive rebound of his Bruin career, as Davidson eventually found Sheppard for a cutting basket which made the score 86-83. 

Neese answered with a tough jump shot give Indiana State an 88-83 lead with 1:33 left. 

Friberg, known more for his 3-point prowess, delivered another tough 2-point basket to get Belmont within 88-85 with 1:12 remaining. 

After Belmont secured a defensive stop off a Neese missed shot, Tyson was fouled on a drive with 35 seconds left. 

His two free throws made the score 88-87. 

Facing extended Belmont pressure defense, Indiana State worked the ball into the frontcourt with Bellinger fouling Trenton Gibson with 19 seconds left. 

As the ninth team foul on Belmont in the second half, Indiana State was awarded one-and-one free throws. 

Gibson would miss the front-end and Gillespie secured the rebound. 

Rather than allow Indiana State to get fully set defensively, Belmont played the possession out, resting in its training and practice of late-game situations. 

Belmont turned to Gillespie, whose second half drives to the basket had been instrumental in the comeback. 

As he drove the lane on Kent, the ball was poked free and went to the baseline where Sheppard gathered. 

Sheppard momentarily drove away from the basket to steady himself, then spun back baseline to try to break free from defender Julian Larry. 

As Sheppard drove, Kent raised his arms to deter a pass to Gillespie and in the process knocked Sheppard off balanace and was called for a foul with 2.5 seconds left. 

The seventh team foul on Indiana State in the second half gave Sheppard one-and-one free throws. 

He proceeded to make both free throws to give Belmont an 89-88 lead – Belmont's first lead since 11-9. 

Following a Belmont timeout to set its defense, McCauley missed a halfcourt shot at the buzzer. 

It was a scene of pure joy as Belmont players celebrated another stirring victory – bookending how the home season began with Tyson's dramatic buzzer-beater to beat Ohio on opening night. 

All told, Belmont shot 50 percent (35-for-70) from the field – including 56 percent in the second half. 

The Bruins made 12 3-point field goals; Indiana State had not allowed double figure 3-point field goals in a game since Dec. 11. 

In a high-possession game, fans were treated to elite basketball with the teams combining on only 16 turnovers. 

Sheppard led five Bruins in double figures with 18 points, nine rebounds and two assists. 

Gillespie had 16 points, three steals and two assists. 

Friberg recorded 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals. 

Davidson had 14 points and five assists. 

Tyson had 13 points. 

Bledson led Indiana State (20-10, 13-6 MVC) with 20 points. 

With the victory, Belmont is tied for third place in the MVC standings with Indiana State and Southern Illinois. Drake and Bradley are tied for first place at 15-4. 

Belmont (20-10, 13-6 MVC) returns to game action Sunday at Northern Iowa. 

NOTE: Belmont trailed Lipscomb by 18 points before winning 64-62, Nov. 29, 2016.

Belmont University men's basketball has earned postseason invitations 15 of the last 17 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 five NCAA Division I programs outside the Power 5 to post Top 100 rankings 12 consecutive seasons (Gonzaga, Saint Mary's (CA), San Diego State, Wichita State). 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