Men's Basketball Falls to Northern Iowa

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball dropped an 82-75 decision to Northern Iowa Wednesday night from the Curb Event Center.
 
On a night where Belmont retired the jersey of program legend and NBA Champion Ian Clark, the Bruins roared out of the gates behind active defense and impressive offensive execution.
 
All five Belmont starters scored in the first three minutes as Belmont led 17-4.
 
A Drew Scharnowski basket and 3-pointers from Brody Peebles and Tyler Lundblade extended the lead to 29-10 at the 10:56 mark.
 
Northern Iowa turned momentum on a Ben Schwieger 3-pointer that hit the top of the backboard and fell in, ultimately getting within 38-31 on baskets from Tytan Anderson and Schwieger inside.
 
Belmont went the first 11 minutes of the game without a turnover.
 
But as Northern Iowa found a measure of offensive confidence late in the first half, its defense rose as well.
 
Carter Whitt and Peebles carried Belmont offense late in the first half to maintain a double figure lead.
 
However, a Max Weisbrod 3-pointer and an Anderson basket made the score 44-37 at halftime.
 
Belmont shot 58 percent (19-for-33) from the field in the opening 20 minutes – including 5-for-10 from 3-point distance.
 
The Bruins scored 22 points in the paint in the first half and forced seven Panther turnovers.
 
Northern Iowa, second in the Missouri Valley Conference in offensive 2-point reliance, made a concerted effort to attack the basket in the second half.
 
With Belmont forward Brigham Rogers in foul trouble all night, one Anderson free throw got Northern Iowa within 52-50 with 14:16 left.
 
Belmont responded with a 3-pointer from Peebles off a Whitt assist and an Isaiah Walker conventional 3-point play to extend the margin to six, 58-52, with 12:50 remaining.
 
Anderson would cap a 7-0 Northern Iowa run as the visitors took their first lead of the game, 59-58, with 10:51 left.
 
Belmont battled through some uncharacteristic stretches of missed open shots with resilient play, teamwork, and execution.
 
A Lundblade 3-pointer, two Pierre baskets and two Walker free throws made the score 67-61 with 8:22 left.
 
From there, Belmont missed free throws and Northern Iowa second shot opportunities would tell the story.
 
A Schwieger baseline dunk gave Northern Iowa a 68-67 lead with 5:24 left before Whitt answered with a tough driving layin.
 
After Jacob Hutson tied the score at 69 with one free throw, Anderson scored a second chance layin off a missed free throw to give the Panthers a two-point lead.
 
Two Belmont empty possessions led to a Trey Campbell shot jump shot and an Anderson putback to make the score 75-69 with 2:17 left.
 
Aidan Noyes got Belmont within 78-75 with 19 seconds remaining, but a takeoff play to Anderson and two Hutson free throws provided the final margin.
 
All told, Belmont shot 48 percent (30-for-62) from the field – including 3-for-15 from 3-point distance in the second half.
 
Belmont outscored Northern Iowa, 18-10, in points off turnovers.
 
Belmont was an uncharacteristic 7-for-16 from the free throw line, including eight missed free throws in the second half.
 
Whitt led five Belmont players in double figures with 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Peebles had 14 points.
 
Pierre had 13 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Walker added 11 points, eight rebounds, and four steals.
 
Lundblade had 10.
 
Anderson led Northern Iowa (19-9, 13-4 MVC) with 27 points.
 
Belmont (18-10, 10-7 MVC) returns to game action Saturday vs. Indiana State.
 
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.