Men's Basketball Earns Convincing Victory at Murray State

MURRAY, Ky. - - In arguably its most complete performance of the season, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Murray State, 95-77, Saturday from the CFSB Center.
 
With a virtuoso final nine minutes of the first half, Belmont seized complete control of the game in winning its Missouri Valley Conference-best sixth true road game of the season – and a third consecutive game away from home.
 
Scores from Brigham Rogers and Jonathan Pierre sparked Belmont to a 6-2 lead.
 
Murray State made four of its first five shots from behind the arc while the Bruins continued to work for high percentage shots.
 
Extra effort plays on both ends of the floor from Drew Scharnowski provided an instant spark and gave Belmont a two-point lead.
 
After Terence Harcum gave Murray State an 18-14 lead, Belmont unleashed its best stretch of offensive efficiency and balanced scoring of the season.
 
Bench production from Scharnowski, Brody Peebles, Aidan Noyes and Sam Orme fueled the Bruin run as eight different Belmont players scored in the first 10 minutes.
 
Belmont also demonstrated patience and poise against a Murray State defense which entered having not allowed double figure 3-pointers in a game this season.
 
Consecutive 3-pointers from Isaiah Walker and Pierre pushed the lead to 10, 34-24, with 7:17 left in the first half.
 
Belmont demonstrated high levels of urgency and attentiveness on every possession, keeping numerous possessions alive with extra effort plays. That yielded 12 second chance points before intermission.
 
Carter Whitt and Scharnowski controlled much of the play with their connection on offense.
 
Following a Whitt mid-range jump shot, Noyes blocked a Murray State shot at the rim ultimately leading to a Peebles transition 3-pointer as the Bruins extended to a 44-28 lead.
 
Whitt then scored seven more points in the final 3:09 of the first half as Belmont led 55-37 at halftime.
 
Belmont shot 53 percent (19-for-36) from the field in the opening 20 minutes. The Bruins forced nine first-half turnovers and scored 41 points in the final 12-plus minutes of the half.
 
The Bruins remained purposeful and aggressive to start the second half as a slam from Rogers and 3-pointers from Noyes and Tyler Lundblade made the score 68-44 with 16:27 left.
 
Whitt managed the game well in the second half, as the Bruins attacked for early offense when opportunities presented themselves and utilized clock well when the moment required.
 
A Noyes driving basket made the score 84-66 with 5:53 left.
 
Murray State never got closer than 15 points in the second half.
 
All told, Belmont shot 51 percent (32-for-63) from the field – including 9-for-20 from 3-point distance.
 
Belmont had 22 second-chance points on 17 offensive rebounds – its highest offensive rebound total since a season-high 19 in victory over Middle Tennessee Dec. 7.
 
Belmont scored 50 bench points and forced 16 turnovers.
 
Scharnowski led five Belmont players in double figures with a career-high 20 points and eight rebounds. Whitt had 17 points, four rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
 
Orme had 13 points and five rebounds. Noyes scored 11.
 
Pierre had 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.
 
JaCobi Wood led Murray State (11-10, 5-5 MVC) with 19 points.
 
Belmont has won five times at Murray State since 2017 and has won four of five meetings vs. the Racers in Missouri Valley Conference play.
 
Belmont (15-6, 7-3 MVC) returns to game action Wednesday at Illinois State.
 
Belmont tickets are on sale now at BelmontBruins.com/Tickets, in addition to Puckett's flex packs, single-game tickets and group experiences. Fans can also call or text 615.460.BALL (2255).

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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.