Men's Basketball Falls to Loyola Marymount on Day One of Cancun Challenge

CANCUN, Mexico - - Belmont University men's basketball dropped a 77-63 decision to Loyola Marymount Tuesday night on day one of the 2024 Cancun Challenge from Hard Rock Resort Riviera Maya.
 
Belmont got two 3-pointers from Tyler Lundblade and a conventional 3-point play from Drew Scharnowski during an 11-3 run to take a 16-13 lead eight minutes in.
 
Moments later, Belmont point guard Carter Whitt picked up his second personal foul, which hindered the Bruins' offensive rhythm and pace.
 
A tough inside finish from Scharnowski ended a five-minute scoring drought before consecutive driving layins from Jan Vide gave Loyola Marymount a 27-18 lead.
 
Jonathan Pierre helped keep Belmont within striking distance, but behind the play of Will Johnston, Loyola Marymount led 36-25 at halftime.
 
Nine first-half turnovers inhibited the Bruins from building momentum.
 
Pierre scored back-to-back baskets to open the second half, but Matar Diop capped a 9-0 LMU run to break the game open.
 
Despite foul trouble and uncharacteristic shooting, Belmont got scoring bursts from Isaiah Walker and Brody Peebles to give themselves a chance at the final media timeout.
 
After one Pierre free throw, Jevon Porter made a difficult 17-footer at the end of the shot clock to give Loyola Marymount a working margin down the stretch.
 
All told, Belmont shot 37 percent from the field – including 9-for-29 from 3-point distance.
 
Pierre led Belmont with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists.
 
Peebles had 11 points – all the second half.
 
Walker contributed 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
 
Johnston led Loyola Marymount (2-3) with 22 points.
 
Belmont (4-2) returns to game action Wednesday against Tulane.
 
Belmont University men's basketball has been a postseason fixture for 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 (behind Gonzaga and Kansas). Belmont has won 20 or more games in 14 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga, Kansas, and Oregon) and 19 or more games in 19 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga, Kansas, and 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 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 its existence. Belmont is the only NCAA Division I institution in America whose men's and women's basketball programs have won 20 or more games in nine consecutive seasons.