NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind 16 points and six rebounds from Jack Smiley, Belmont University men's basketball defeated Centre, 75-45, Thursday night from the Curb Event Center.
 
Vincent Neugebauer had 10 points and nine rebounds, while Aleksa Ristic had 10 points, five rebounds, and a career-high seven assists as Belmont held the Colonels to 28 percent shooting.
 
After two early 3-pointers from Graham Krezmien gave Centre a seven-point lead, Belmont held the visitors scoreless over the next seven-plus minutes as Charlie Gersmehl capped a 15-0 run.
 
A driving layin from Matthew Zobrist and 3-pointers from Eoin Dillon and Smiley increased the margin to 28-16.
 
Ristic would sparks Belmont in the second half, as his offensive rebound and stepback 3-pointer provided an energy lift.
 
From there, Belmont increased its defensive purpose, holding Centre without a field goal – and just two free throws – over a 12-minute stretch.
 
Smiley would score 11 of his 16 points in the second half as the Bruins turned defense into offense behind Ristic's all-court game.
 
Belmont outscored Centre, 38-18, in points in the paint, and 22-10 in points off turnovers.
 
The Bruins were also +16 in bench points.
 
Belmont forced 15 turnovers and outrebounded Centre, 52-26.
 
Gersmehl had eight points and three rebounds in his Belmont debut, while Ethan Sage added seven points and nine rebounds.
 
Finn Louden and Krezmien led Centre with 10 points each.
 
Belmont (2-0) returns to game action Tuesday, Nov. 10 at Lipscomb.
 
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Steve Layman can be heard on Belmont Bruins Radio. In-game updates will be available via Twitter @BelmontMBB.

Belmont season tickets – which include the entire men's and women's basketball home schedule – are on sale now at belmontbruins.com/tickets. 
 
Belmont is proud to continue its Military Appreciation Ticket Program presented by Edley's – whereby all active military and veterans – and up to four guests – receive FREE admission to all men's and women's basketball games at the Curb Event Center.
 
To become a Bruin Club member, contact Russell Grimm at (615) 460-5668 or russell.grimm@belmont.edu.
 
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 21 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (behind Gonzaga and Kansas). Belmont has won 20 or more games in 16 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga and Kansas) and 19 or more games in 21 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 six years (Ben Sheppard, Dylan Windler). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 20 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 11 consecutive seasons.
 
How to Follow
Follow Belmont men's basketball on social media - @BelmontMBB on X, formerly Twitter and @belmont_mbb on Instagram - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.