Rogers Leads Men's Basketball Past Southern Illinois

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind a career-high 17 points and nine rebounds from Brigham Rogers, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Southern Illinois, 90-86, Wednesday night from the Curb Event Center.
 
Rogers spearheaded an inspired effort as the Bruins were without the services of forwards Drew Scharnowski and Sam Orme.
 
3-pointers from Carter Whitt and Jonathan Pierre around two Rogers free throws gave Belmont an early 8-2 lead.
 
A Tyler Lundblade 3-pointer increased the margin to 13-6 four-plus minutes in.
 
After Southern Illinois got within 19-18, Rogers' effort plays and inside finishes sparked a Belmont run.
 
Pierre made consecutive 3-point field goals as the lead grew to 11, 35-24, with 4:48 left.
 
Southern Illinois labored at times in the halfcourt offensively in the first half, relying on defensive effort plays and timely offensive rebounds to stay within reach.
 
Two Brody Peebles baskets and a Whitt driving one-hander gave Belmont a 43-31 lead at halftime.
 
Belmont shot 52 percent (16-for-31) from the field in the opening 20 minutes – including 7-for-17 from 3-point distance.
 
The Bruins limited Southern Illinois to 32 percent shooting while holding a plus-two rebounding advantage.
 
Rogers led Belmont with 13 first-half points.
 
But just as Belmont sought control of the game, the visitors responded with purpose and production to open the second half.
 
A tough catch and layin from Jarrett Hensley opened scoring and initiated a remarkable stretch play from Southern Illinois.
 
Aidan Noyes provided a huge lift for Belmont with strong all-court play, providing two baskets and several defensive deflections to help the cause.
 
But a 27-foot 3-pointer from Kennard Davis tied the score at 47 with 16:18 left.
 
A Lundblade 3-pointer put Belmont back on top before Ali Dibba capped an 8-0 run to give Southern Illinois a 55-50 lead.
Whitt and Noyes sustained Belmont during a stretch where both teams were trading scores.
 
The Bruins also had to withstand a few off-the-scouting-report 3-pointers from Damien Mayo and Rolyns Aligbe as Belmont and Southern Illinois treated fans to top shelf shotmaking.
 
After Belmont led the entire first half, the second 20 minutes would feature seven ties and 10 lead changes.
 
Two Pierre baskets and a Rogers finish off a Whitt feed gave Belmont a 71-69 with with 7:27 left.
 
Another Pierre drive and two Whitt free throws increased the margin to six, 75-69, with 5:42 remaining.
 
Noyes and Whitt each rimmed out 3-point looks to push the lead to nine points before Southern Illinois answered back.
 
Baskets from David, Dibba and Hensley made the score 77-76 with 2:39 left.
 
Fans stood much of the second half as each possession took on added significance.
 
Pierre once again delivered with a determined drive to reestablish a three-point lead.
 
Sheridan Sharp missed a contested shot on Southern Illinois' next possession, but Hensley tipped home the putback basket.
 
On Belmont's next possession, Walker would cut into the lane and slither past Southern Illinois' defense to earn two free throws.
 
Hensley fouled out on the play with 1:34 left.
 
Walker would make both free throws to give Belmont an 81-78 lead.
 
Dibba would then make a deep, tough 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock to tie the game with 1:19 remaining.
 
Belmont would then turn to Pierre, who tipped home his own missed shot at the rim to put Belmont ahead 83-81 with 52 seconds left.
 
Southern Illinois found Dibba for a curling drive and conventional 3-point opportunity with 36 seconds left.
 
Dibba would miss the free throw as the game was tied at 83.
 
Whitt grabbed the rebound and worked into the frontcourt before Belmont called timeout with 26 seconds left.
 
While many would have expected Belmont to work the clock down on its next possession and get a high percentage shot with under 10 seconds, Belmont executed a quick-hitting play for a Lundblade 3-point attempt.
 
He would be fouled in the act of shooting with 20 seconds left and make three free throws.
 
With fouls to give, Belmont halted one Southern Illinois possession before Davis missed a contested 3-pointer with 11 seconds left.
 
Whitt grabbed another strong rebound and was fouled with nine seconds left.
 
Whitt made two free throws to extend the lead to five points.
 
Dibba capped his remarkable second half with an off-balance, leaning 3-pointer with two seconds left to get Southern Illinois within 88-86.
 
Walker made two free throws with under two seconds left to provide the final margin.
 
All told, Belmont shot 53 percent (32-for-60) from the field – including 9-for-23 from 3-point distance.
 
Belmont outrebounded Southern Illinois, 37-28, and produced 17 second-chance points.
 
Pierre led five Belmont players in double figures with 21 points and five rebounds.
 
Rogers had 17 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. Lundblade scored 14.
 
Noyes had 13 points, two rebounds, and two steals.
 
Whitt had 12 points, four rebounds, and six assists.
 
Dibba led Southern Illinois (5-11, 0-5 MVC) with 33 points.
 
Belmont (11-5, 3-2 MVC) returns to game action Saturday at Indiana State.
 
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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.