Belmont too much for Colonels
Eastern Kentucky welcomed league favorite Belmont in to Alumni Coliseum for a tough challenge. If you want to believe the boy’s in Vegas the Colonels come in as 12 point underdogs. Since 2003 Belmont has won 244 conference games, 1 more than Kansas, they are only one of 7 non-power 5 programs to post a top 100 RPI each of the past 7 seasons, and they’ve made the most three pointers in the nation since moving up from NAIA in 96/97.
Coach Dan McHale put his 15th different starting lineup on the floor to start the game. The Bruins started off hot from the floor knocking down 3 straight 3 pointers to propel themselves out to an 11-2 lead. Colonels score but some more hot outside shooting and a 15-4 run makes it 24-11 at the 12 minute media timeout. Colonels uses a mini run of their own, 10-2, to pull back within 26-21. Belmont behind a 15-0 run extends the lead to 41-21 and takes a 55-29 lead into halftime. Bruins were 10-15 behind the arc and 20-28 overall in the first half. They commit only 1 turnover. Amanze Egekeze was a perfect 6-6 (3-3 in three’s) to lead the scoring with 17 points. For Eastern Deandre Dishman had 8 points, Zach Charles with 7. Colonels shoot 11-26 from the floor but only 4-12 in three land. They commit 9 turnovers which led to 13 Belmont points.
The second half started with Belmont knocking down their 10th three pointer of the game. After a free throw from Belmont Eastern showed signs of life going on an 11-0 run to get within 19 at 59-40. A 27-10 run by Belmont made it 88-52 and the Colonels fall in embarrassing fashion to Belmont tonight 98-63. Belmont places 5 players in double figures with EgeKeze leading all scorers with 30 points. The Bruins shot 62% from the floor and finished with 13 three pointers.Belmont with a 28-4 scoring margin on points off turnovers. For the Colonels Nick Mayo led the way with 15 points and a colonel high 6 rebounds, Dillon Avare with 12 points, Zach Charles finishes with 11 points, 5 rebounds, DeAndre Dishman 10 points, 5 rebounds, Dedric Boyd 9 points, JacQuess Hobbs with 6 points. Colonels return home Saturday night against Tennessee State.
Donald Foster
WBONTV.com
Wallingford Broadcasting
