Belmont's strong performance on both ends of the court propelled them to an 80-69 victory over Illinois State at the Curb Event Center Arena. The Bruins, predicted to win by 4.2 points by CHD Scout, exceeded expectations with an 11-point margin of victory. Eoin Dillon paced Belmont with 16 points, while Jabez Jenkins and Tyler Lundblade chipped in with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
The first half belonged to Belmont, as they built a 44-36 lead behind a balanced attack. The Bruins' offense was clicking, with multiple players contributing to the scoring effort. Illinois State, on the other hand, struggled to find a rhythm, with their top performer Johnny Kinziger scoring 13 points to go along with 5 assists. Chase Walker and Ty Pence added 12 points each for the Redbirds, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with the Bruins.
In the second half, Belmont continued to pull away, outscoring Illinois State 36-33. The Bruins' defense was stout, holding the Redbirds to just 33 points in the final 20 minutes. Meanwhile, Belmont's offense remained efficient, with Dillon and Jenkins leading the charge. The Bruins' ability to score from multiple positions and play tenacious defense was too much for Illinois State to handle.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The victory improves Belmont's record to 18-3, and they remain one of the top teams in the country. The win also marks a Quadrant 3 victory for the Bruins, which will undoubtedly boost their resume come tournament time. For Illinois State, the loss drops their record to 14-7, but it's worth noting that this was a Quadrant 1 game for the Redbirds, which will still carry significant weight in their tournament profile.
Belmont's performance was a reflection of their depth and versatility. With multiple players capable of scoring in double figures, the Bruins are a difficult team to prepare for. Eoin Dillon's 16 points led the way, but it was a true team effort that propelled Belmont to victory. As the season wears on, the Bruins want to continue their strong play and make a push for a high seed in the tournament.
The outcome of this game has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. Belmont's win strengthens their resume, and they will likely continue to rise in the rankings. Illinois State, on the other hand, want to bounce back from the loss and continue to build their case for a tournament bid. With the victory, Belmont takes a significant step forward in their pursuit of a tournament berth, and they want to carry this momentum into their upcoming games.