Defense, Dia Lead Men's Basketball Past Valparaiso in MVC Tournament

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - - Behind 22 points and 10 rebounds from Malik Dia, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Valparaiso, 86-61, Thursday in the first round of the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament from Enterprise Center.
 
Dia went 8-for-11 from the field in his third double-double of the season as Belmont joined Gonzaga and Kansas in an exclusive group of programs to win 20 or more games in 14 consecutive seasons (Oregon can join with a 20^th victory later Thursday).

Belmont is also the only school in the country with men's and women's basketball programs to win 20 or more games in nine consecutive seasons.
 
After jumping out to leads of 9-0 and 21-2 in its two victories over Valparaiso during the regular season, Belmont came out focused and purposeful on both ends of the floor.
 
Dia and Cade Tyson scored baskets before Ja'Kobi Gillespie made a 3-pointer and a driving transition layin to give Belmont an early 11-3 lead.
 
Following one Isaiah Stafford free throw, the Bruins pushed forward with another 10-0 run.
 
3-pointers from Isaiah Walker and Gillespie and strong layins from Tyson and Brigham Rogers made the score 21-4 less than six minutes in.
 
As the Bruins integrated into bench into the game, a determined Dia scored eight straight points as Belmont extended to a 31-11 lead.
 
Belmont demonstrated inspired play and impressive connectedness on defense, denying scoring opportunities for Valparaiso MVC Freshman of the Year Cooper Schwieger while controlling the defensive backboards.
 
Dia and Rogers complemented each other perfectly, with each making enormous impacts and making their presences felt with strong score and active defense.
 
Jake Dykstra made a timely end-of-shot-clock 3-pointer to spark another scoring run to end the first half.
 
A Dia slam dunk and a Keishawn Davidson 3-pointer gave Belmont a 48-22 halftime lead.
 
Belmont shot 56 percent (19-for-34) from the field in the opening 20 minutes – including 6-for-16 from 3-point distance.
 
The Bruins limited Valparaiso to 9-for-32 shooting in the first half, while forcing seven turnovers and holding a six-rebound advantage.
 
Gillespie opened the second half with another electrifying drive and score as Belmont balanced minutes throughout the team roster.
 
Dia delivered a spinning slam, a putback basket and a 3-point field goal within 73 seconds to make the score 58-25 with 15:51 left.
 
Jayce Willingham and Walker showcased their versatility with more strong defense and driving baskets before Rogers provided a rim-running, alley oop slam off a Davidson feed.
 
A Win Miller 3-pointer and three more Rogers points gave Belmont its largest lead with 7:51 left.
 
Keith Robbins made two 3-pointers in extended playing time.
 
All told, Belmont shot 52 percent (33-for-63) from the field – including 10-for-28 from 3-point distance.
 
The Bruins had 24 assists on 33 made field goals and outscored Valparaiso, 39-8, in bench points.
 
Dia led three Bruins in double figures. Rogers had a career-high 15 points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.
 
Gillespie had 10 points and four assists.
 
Davidson had a game-high nine assists.
 
All 11 Bruins played double figure minutes.
 
Stafford led Valparaiso (7-25) with 20 points.
 
Belmont (20-12) returns to game action Friday vs. Northern Iowa in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament.
 
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, does not include '24) and 19 or game games in 19 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