Big Plays Late Lift Men's Basketball Past Murray State

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind a career-high 24 points from Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Murray State, 69-64, Wednesday from the Curb Event Center.
 
Gillespie went 9-for-12 from the field, added a career-high eight rebounds, five assists and two steals as his go-ahead basket with 48 seconds left and two free throws moments later helped Belmont secure another victory over its longtime rival.
 
One of the top rivalries in college basketball once again delivered high drama.
 
Malik Dia scored the first four points of the game to provide a confident start.
 
Four quick points from Gillespie and a baseline Dia slam gave Belmont a 15-10 lead less than eight minutes in.
 
After a Malek Abdelgowad basket, Dia answered with a 3-pointer and a layin to push the margin to eight, 22-14, at the 9:51 mark.
 
In fact, the Bruins had opportunities to extend the margin as active defense forced Murray State turnovers which led to transition scoring opportunities. But Belmont could not fully capitalize on high percentage looks.
 
Both teams navigated some early foul trouble, before JaCobi Wood and Quincy Anderson worked Murray State back into the game.
 
Two Rob Perry free throws tied the game at 33.
 
One Isaiah Walker free throw gave Belmont a 34-33 lead at halftime.
 
Belmont shot 47 percent (14-for-30) from the field in the opening 20 minutes – but an uncharacteristic 2-for-11 from 3-point distance.
 
A Nick Ellington basket and an Anderson 3-pointer gave Murray State a 38-34 lead with 17:26 remaining.
 
Gillespie replied with a conventional 3-point play before a Keishawn Davidson 3-pointer tied the game at 40.
 
The game featured three ties and 18 lead changes, with neither team leading by more than two possessions in the second half.
 
After Ellington and Dia exchanged baskets, a long jump shot from Perry gave Murray State a 55-50 lead with 9:18 left.
 
As Belmont held Murray State scoreless for the next five minutes, Cade Tyson delivered eight consecutive points for Belmont to reclaim the lead.
 
Gillespie added two free throws to give Belmont a 60-55 lead with 4:47 left.
 
Then as Belmont endured a brief dry spell, an Ellington conventional 3-point play and one Perry free throw got the visitors within one point as the game approached two minutes.
 
Following a jumpball and an empty Belmont possession, the Bruins pressured Murray State and appeared on the verge of earning a defensive stop.
 
However, Anderson rose and made a contested, desperation 3-pointer from the deep corner as the shot clock expired with 1:48 left to give Murray State a 62-60 lead.
 
Undeterred, Belmont worked into the frontcourt and freed Davidson who sank a straight-on 3-pointer of his own to put Belmont back on top.
 
Murray State worked its next offensive possession before Anderson made a tough bank shot over strong Belmont interior defense to give Murray State a 64-63 lead with 1:10 left.
 
With the entire arena on its feet, Gillespie drove the lane and scored with 48 seconds remaining to put Belmont back ahead, 65-64.
 
After a timeout and substitutions, Belmont defended Murray State's initial offensive action well before Wood came free for a left wing 3-point attempt.
 
The shot rimmed off and after an initial tip attempt from Anderson, Ellington would be fouled battling for the rebound with 19 seconds left.
 
Ellington would miss both free throw attempts and Gillespie secured the rebound for Belmont.
 
After a Murray State foul, Gillespie made two free throws to give Belmont a 67-64 lead with 16 seconds left.
 
Murray State would try to free Wood along the baseline for a potential game-tying 3-point attempt, but Belmont forced him off the 3-point line.
 
Wood proceeded to drive the lane and find Anderson cross-court for a right wing 3-pointer as time wound down.
 
Anderson's shot would rim off and Jayce Willingham grabbed a determined defensive rebound in traffic for Belmont.
 
His two free throws provided the final margin.
 
All told, Belmont 43 percent (24-for-56) from the field – and forced 12 turnovers.
 
Gillespie led three Belmont players in double figures. Dia had 15 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots. Tyson had 13 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
 
Anderson led Murray State (9-15, 6-7 MVC) with 21 points.
 
Belmont (13-11, 6-7 MVC) returns to game action Saturday at Valparaiso.
 
NOTES: 12 of the last 21 Belmont-Murray State games have been decided in the final two minutes…Belmont is 7-1 all-time vs. Murray State at the Curb Event Center…Belmont student Will Sykes made a halfcourt shot during a media timeout of the first half to receive a semester of tuition.