Men's Basketball Drops Hard-Fought Game at Drake

DES MOINES, Iowa - - Belmont University men's basketball dropped an 84-69 decision at [rv/--] Drake Wednesday night from the Knapp Center.
 
Both teams entered play riding four-game win streaks, but Belmont battled foul trouble and uncharacteristically cold outside shooting throughout.
 
Ja'Kobi Gillespie scored seven early points as the game had three ties in the first three minutes.
 
Jayce Willingham and Cade Tyson would each be whistled for two personal fouls in the first five minutes of the game as the Bruins' wing rotation – and offensive continuity – would be impacted significantly.
 
An Isaiah Walker 3-pointer and a Keishawn Davidson jump shot got Belmont within 18-16.
 
Following a Tucker DeVries basket, another Davidson score and a Gillespie 3-pointer made the score 23-21 midway through the first half.
 
After a Malik Dia putback and a Davidson 3-pointer, Tyson would pick up his third personal foul on an attempted blocked shot on Atin Wright.
 
Wright would add one free throw and 3-pointer to give the Bulldogs a 34-26 lead.
 
Walker responded with more inspired play, as his second 3-pointer and a determined baseline drive got Belmont within 34-32 at the 2:49 mark.
 
But while the first meeting in Nashville saw Belmont close the first half strong en route to victory, Drake utilized a 12-4 run to end the first half to build a margin.
 
Two Kevin Overton free throws and a Wright 3-pointer gave Drake a 46-36 lead at halftime.
 
Belmont shot 41 percent (14-for-34) from the field in the opening 20 minutes, but just 4-for-16 from 3-point distance.
 
The Bruins forced 15 turnovers in the Jan. 7 meeting, but only one Bulldog turnover in the first half this night.
 
Dia and Gillespie led a Belmont charge to open the second half, as their 11 combined points got Belmont within 52-47 with 16:23 remaining.
 
But as Dia and Brigham Rogers would be forced to the bench with foul trouble, Darnell Brodie and Wright extended the margin to nine.
 
Gillespie and Tyson would keep the Bruins within reach before a DeVries 3-pointer made the score 70-56 with 9:12 remaining.
 
The Bruins tried everything – switching defenses and a variety of lineup rotations – as Drake never had a run of more than five points.
 
All told, Belmont shot 41 percent (26-for-63) from the field – but just 7-for-29 from 3-point distance. The Bruins were 12-for-22 from 3-point distance vs. Drake in the Jan. 7 victory.
 
Belmont outrebounded Drake, 36-31.
 
Gillespie led four Belmont players in double figures with 23 points and two steals. Walker recorded his first career double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Dia and Davidson each scored 12.
 
DeVries led Drake (23-5, 14-3 MVC) with 21 points on 5-for-16 shooting.
 
Drake extended the nation's longest home court win streak to 20 games.
 
Belmont (16-12, 9-8 MVC) returns to game action Saturday vs. Missouri State. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. CT 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