Men's Basketball Falls at Indiana State

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - - Belmont University men's basketball dropped a 94-64 decision at Indiana State Saturday afternoon from the Hulman Center.
 
Having won nine of its previous 11 games, Belmont entered play in a five-way tie atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings – along with Indiana State - at the quarter pole.
 
Indiana State, one of the nation's top teams in offensive efficiency with five double figure scorers, provided a significant challenge following two classic meetings last season.
 
Playing a third consecutive game without standout guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie, the Bruins were just unable to find their trademark consistency and rhythm.
 
After an opening 3-pointer from Malik Dia, Indiana State went on a 12-0 run behind the play of Robbie Avila and Julian Larry.
 
Jayce Willingham and Kyler Vanderjagt got Belmont within 20-13, but Isaiah Swope proceeded to make six straight 3-pointers over a five-minute stretch to take control.
 
A Cade Tyson 3-pointer and two Isaiah Walker free throws capped a 9-0 Belmont response to make the score 37-27 with 4:38 left in the first half.
 
Following another Indiana State flurry, Keishawn Davidson hit a 3-pointer with 39 seconds left and appeared to end the half with a made halfcourt shot, but officials waved off the basket following replay review.
 
Indiana State led 48-32 at halftime.
 
Belmont went 6-for-14 from 3-point distance in the first half with seven players scoring. However, an uncharacteristic seven first-half turnovers led to transition scoring opportunities for the Sycamores.
 
Belmont went scoreless the first 4:35 of the second half as Indiana State used balanced scoring to break the game open.
 
All told, Belmont shot a season-low 36 percent from the field.
 
Davidson led Belmont with 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and four steals. Dia had 10 points and three rebounds.
 
Swope led Indiana State (14-3, 5-1 MVC) with 24 points.
 
Belmont (11-6, 4-2 MVC) returns to game action Wednesday vs. Northern Iowa.
 
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