2021BELEKUMBB

Belmont vs. Eastern Kentucky University (Men)

Paul S. McBrayer Arena

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY

February 25, 2021

Belmont coach Casey Alexander started the following lineup: 6-8 Jr. Caleb Hollander, 6-6 So. Ben Sheppard, 6-9 So. Derek Sabin, 6-0 Jr. Luke Smith, and 6-2 Jr. Grayson Murphy. (6-11 Jr. Nick Muszynski all conference center not available tonight).  Eastern Kentucky University coach AW Hamilton countered with 6-7 So. Michael Moreno, 6-5 Fr. Curt Lewis, 6-9 Jr. Tre King, 5-11 Fr. Wendell Green Jr., and 6-1 Jr. Cooper Robb.

Eastern Kentucky University led 50-32 at halftime buoyed by 62.9% field goal shooting on their way to an 81-67 upset victory over the 21-1 Belmont Bruins.  This was also the first OVC loss this season (18-1).  The score was tied three times and there were six lead changes in this game.  Eastern Kentucky shot 50.7% from the field including seven of 23 from the three point line.  The Colonels connected on six of nine free throws, pulled down 36 rebounds, and scored 18 points off 16 Belmont turnovers.  Belmont shot 36.5% from the field including six of 23 from beyond the arc.  The Bruins connected on seven of nine free throws, pulled down 48 rebounds, and scored 10 points off 11 Eastern Kentucky University turnovers.

Wendell Green Jr. led Eastern Kentucky with 22 points including two three point baskets, four of five free throws, four rebounds, and three assists.  Curt Lewis added 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.  Tre King recorded 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and three blocked shots.  Cooper Robb chipped in with nine points on three three point baskets, five rebounds, and two assists.

Ben Sheppard led Belmont with 14 points including two three point baskets, four of four free throws, and eight rebounds.  6-6 Jr. Tate Pierson added 11 points including two three point baskets and four assists.  Caleb Hollander recorded nine points and seven rebounds.  6-9 So. Evan Brauns chipped in with eight points, four rebounds, and two blocked shots.  Luke Smith added seven points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.  Grayson Murphy recorded six points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

Belmont University,32,35,67

Eastern Kentucky,50,31,81

Belmont University (67) – Hollander 9, Sheppard 14, Sabin 4, Smith 7, Murphy 6, Brauns 8, Pierson 11, Wood 6, Jakubicek 2.

Eastern Kentucky (81) – Moreno 4, Lewis 15, King 14, Green Jr. 22, Robb 9, Cruickshank 7, Balogun 2, Blanton 8.

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