Men's Basketball Drops Hard-Fought Game at Illinois State

NORMAL, Ill. - - Despite posting four double figure scorers and outrebounding its opposition, Belmont University men's basketball dropped a 77-67 decision at Illinois State Tuesday night from CEFCU Arena.
 
Playing a sixth consecutive game without standout guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Belmont got six early points from Malik Dia to build a lead.
 
After free throws from Jayce Willingham and Cade Tyson, a Keishawn Davidson 3-pointer gave Belmont a 13-10 lead seven minutes in.
 
But promising clean looks for the Bruins rimmed out in the first 10 minutes, inhibiting Belmont from building a working margin.
 
Meanwhile, Illinois State got timely bench contributions and some end-of-shot-clock plays to take the lead.
 
A Darius Burford banked 3-pointer punctuated a 15-3 Illinois State run to give the hosts a 25-16 advantage.
 
While Dia and Tyson kept Belmont within reach, Illinois State's defense grew in confidence and impact as the half continued, with Marcus Foster leading the Redbirds to a 41-30 halftime lead.
 
Belmont shot an uncharacteristic 37 percent (10-for-27) from the field in the first half – including 3-for-14 from 3-point distance.
 
An already physical game intensified as both teams worked into the bonus seven minutes into the second half.
 
Five determined Tyson points and a Willingham basket got Belmont within 48-42 with 14:50 left.
 
However, as was the theme much of the evening, Illinois State answered back before Belmont could extend a scoring run.
 
Long two-point baskets from Jordan Davis and Johnny Kinziger and two Malachi Poindexter free throws pushed the margin back to 12.
 
The Bruins played resilient basketball, going inside for team scores behind Dia and Willingham.
 
As Belmont systematically fought back, the team had to play through several enormous momentum swings and unfortunate sequences in the final 10 minutes.
 
A Davidson layin attempt to get the Bruins within four points rimmed off before Illinois State got a run-out basket from Davis to make the score 60-52 with 8:54 left.
 
Then after a Dia post score and five more Willingham points, Dia was whistled for his fourth personal foul on the perimeter with 6:24 left.
 
The Bruins strung together stops and had an open transition 3-pointer to get within two points dip out before Davis and Brigham Rogers exchanged free throws.
 
Trailing 65-61 before the under-four media timeout, Belmont had a strong layin attempt along the baseline rim off. On the next sequence, Davidson would be charged with a foul on Kinziger away from the basket before the Illinois State offensive possession began.
 
Those two free throws made the score 67-61 with 3:37 remaining.
 
Following one Willingham free throw, Davis made a baseline 3-pointer to extend the margin to eight points.
 
It was simply a tough result on the road in Missouri Valley Conference play.
 
All told, Belmont shot 41 percent from the field – including 6-for-24 from 3-point distance.
 
Belmont outrebounded Illinois State, 36-35, and limited the Redbirds to 38 percent shooting in the second half.
 
Dia led four Belmont players in double figures with 19 points and seven rebounds. Tyson had 14 points and nine rebounds while Willingham provided 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
 
Davidson had 12 points, three assists and two steals.
 
Rogers had a career-high four blocked shots.
 
Foster led Illinois State (10-10, 4-5 MVC) with 19 points.
 
Belmont (11-9, 4-5 MVC) returns to game action Saturday vs. UIC. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. 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