Men's Basketball Defeats UIC

CHICAGO - - Belmont University men's basketball defeated UIC, 75-60, Sunday afternoon from Credit Union 1 Arena.
 
The Bruins shot 64 percent from the field in the first half while limiting the host Flames to 33 percent shooting for the game.
 
A steal and coast-to-coast slam from Malik Dia got the Bruins going, as two free throws from Keishawn Davidson and a 3-pointer from Cade Tyson gave Belmont the lead to stay.
 
Tyson would make three consecutive 3-pointers in a two-minute stretch as Belmont's lead increased to six points.
 
A layin and emphatic slam from Brigham Rogers coupled with a Davidson 3-pointer made the score 23-13 nine minutes in.
 
The Bruins showcased active and unified defense as UIC labored to find high percentage shots.
 
A Ja'Kobi Gillespie conventional 3-point play and six straight points from Dia pushed the margin to 31-17.
 
After keeping UIC scoreless for another three-minute stretch, back-to-back 3-pointers from Davidson and Dia extended the margin to 18, 39-21, with 3:37 left in the first half.
 
UIC got within 43-32 before Davidson confidently made his third straight 3-pointer to give Belmont a 46-32 halftime lead.
 
Belmont was 16-for-25 from the field in the opening 20 minutes.
 
The Bruins carried the momentum into the second half with purpose and focus.
 
A dazzling conventional 3-point play from Gillespie on the opening possession of the second half followed by a transition 3-pointer from Tyson made the score 52-32 with 19:28 left.
 
Rogers and Isaiah Walker led strong bench contributions as Belmont maintained a working margin throughout.
 
As UIC increased its defensive intensity, Belmont continued to force contested shots and rebound well in traffic. Six Gillespie points around two Rogers free throws gave Belmont a 73-49 lead with 5:35 left.
 
All told, Belmont outrebounded UIC, 45-35.
 
Tyson led four Belmont players in double figures with 18 points and seven rebounds. Gillespie scored 17 points, with three rebounds, four assists and three steals.
 
Dia provided 17 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals.
 
Davidson had 13 points, nine rebounds, six assists and zero turnovers.
 
Rogers added eight points, six rebounds and two blocked shots.
 
Jake Dykstra had a career-high five rebounds.
 
Toby Okani led UIC (10-17, 3-13 MVC) with 17 points.
 
Belmont (16-11, 9-7 MVC) has won four consecutive games and is tied for fourth-place in the Missouri Valley Conference with Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois, one game behind Bradley for third place.
 
Belmont returns to game action Wednesday at Drake.

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