Murray, Ky. – Belmont University men’s basketball put on a stunning show Sunday, beating Murray State 87-70 at the CFSB Center. This game was a tale of resilience and determination. After falling behind 45-26, the Bruins turned the tables, outscoring Murray 63-31 in the second half.
Belmont now sits at the top, leading the nation with 13 road victories, outpacing teams like UCLA and SMU. Their win count of 24 ties them with schools such as Michigan and UConn, ranking them third nationally.
In the first half, both teams started strong defensively. Murray State initially took control, building an early 19-6 lead thanks to key shots. Despite Belmont’s attempts to close the gap, they hit just 31% of their shots in that half. At halftime, they trailed 39-24, but the momentum shifted after the break.
A dunk from Drew Scharnowski marked the beginning of Belmont’s comeback. The Bruins quickly narrowed the gap, tying the game at 47 points. From that moment, Belmont took the lead, with a three-pointer from Tyler Lundblade giving them a 50-49 advantage—an impressive turnaround after being down by 19 points earlier.
In the second half, Belmont shot an impressive 69%, hitting 22 of 32 attempts. They also excelled from the free-throw line, making 12 of 13 shots, and dominated in points in the paint with a margin of 30-8.
Jack Smiley led the Bruins with a career-high of 21 points, while Eoin Dillon and Sam Orme followed closely, combining for 35 points. It’s notable that Belmont had 10 halves this season where they scored over 50 points.
Belmont’s track record in NCAA basketball is impressive. The team has made nine NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 20 years and has secured 20 conference championships during that time, ranking third nationally. With a consistent winning streak, they’ve recorded 20 or more victories for 16 consecutive seasons—only joined by top programs like Gonzaga and Kansas.
As the Bruins look ahead, their next game is against Indiana State on February 21. For more updates on Belmont men’s basketball, follow their official accounts on social media or check the Belmont Bruins app.
With their blend of athletic talent and academic excellence, Belmont proudly stands as a model program in NCAA Division I basketball.
