2016BELEKUM

Belmont vs. Eastern Kentucky University (Men)

McBrayer Arena

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY

January 14, 2017

Belmont coach Rick Byrd started the following lineup: 6-7 Sr. Evan Bradds, 6-7 So. Dylan Windler, 6-8 Jr. Amanze Egekeze, 6-3 Jr. Austin Luke, and 6-3 Sr. Taylor Barnette.  Eastern Kentucky University coach Dan McHale countered with 6-7 Jr. Zach Charles, 6-6 Fr. DeAndre Dishman, 6-9 So. Nick Mayo, 5-11 Fr. Asante Gist, and 6-0 Jr. Dillon Avare.

Belmont took an early 9-0 lead and fended off a rally by a short-handed Eastern Kentucky squad to earn a 72-59 victory.  Eastern Kentucky lost starter Jaylen Babb-Harrison several games ago to legal problems and tonight Asante Gist was pulled after four minutes of play and did not return to the lineup for the rest of the game.  Isaac McGlone was limited to three minutes of play tonight due to recurring back pain.  6-2 Fr. Parker Chitty added hustle and aggressiveness before fouling out of the game.  EKU, at times tonight had two walk-ons on the floor at guard in 6-1 Jr. Daniel Parke and 6-1 Fr. Trevor Hill.  The Colonels gave an inspired effort but was simply outmanned by a very good Belmont squad.

Belmont shot 50.9% from the field including six of 18 from the three point line.  The Bruins connected on 10 of 13 free throws, pulled down 34 rebounds, and scored 11 points off 17 Eastern Kentucky turnovers.  Eastern Kentucky shot 38.9% from the field including five of 24 from beyond the arc.  The Colonels connected on 12 of 13 free throws, pulled down 29 rebounds, and scored 11 points off 15 Belmont turnovers.

Evan Bradds led Belmont with 22 points and seven rebounds.  Bradds was nine of 13 from the field and four of four from the free throw line and was very effective backing the defender down low and scoring with a short jump hook.  Luke Austin added 15 points including two three point baskets, five rebounds, and four assists.  6-2 So. Kevin McClain recorded 11 points including two three point baskets.  Dylan Windler chipped in with six points and seven rebounds.

Nick Mayo led Eastern Kentucky with 17 points including eight of eight free throws, five rebounds, seven assists, three blocked shots, and three steals.  DeAndre Dishman added 12 points and six rebounds.  6-6 Fr. Marlon Adams recorded nine points and six rebounds.  Dillon Avare and Parker Chitty scored seven points each.

Belmont,36,36,72

Eastern Kentucky,29,30,59

Belmont (72) – Bradds 22, Windler 6, Egekeze 5, Luke 15, Barnette 4, Smith 7, McClain 11, Adelsperger 2.

Eastern Kentucky (59) – Charles 4, Dishman 12, Mayo 17, Gist 0. Avare 7, Adams 9, McGlone 3, Chitty 7.

A special thanks to the Eastern Kentucky Stats Crew for providing the comprehensive statistics for tonight’s game.